The NBA is currently investigating the absence of Philadelphia center Joel Embiid during the highly anticipated season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks. This inquiry stems from the league’s player participation policy, which was implemented last season to ensure compliance and transparency regarding player availability.
The league confirmed the investigation on Thursday, emphasizing that any star player, defined as an All-Star or All-NBA selection within the last three seasons, triggers an automatic review when they miss a game. Joel Embiid fits this definition, which has led to the current scrutiny.
This investigation is not merely procedural; it aims to uphold the integrity of the league by promoting adherence to established rules. The process may involve independent medical evaluations to assess the reasons behind a player’s unavailability.
Joel Embiid, who played a pivotal role in securing Olympic gold for the U.S. at the Paris Games, missed the entire preseason and was sidelined for the opener against Milwaukee due to “left knee injury management.” His history of knee issues raises concerns among fans and analysts alike about his long-term health and performance.
The duration of the investigation remains uncertain. Additionally, the Philadelphia 76ers faced another setback as Paul George was also unavailable for the game, having sustained a bone bruise during the preseason, further complicating the team’s early season challenges.
