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[Saba Sports News] Joel Embiid’s unexpected absence from the Philadelphia 76ers’ game against the Denver Nuggets has raised eyebrows. Embiid, who was a late withdrawal from the Sixers’ Saturday game at Ball Arena in Denver, has faced criticism for his last-minute decision not to play, drawing remarks even from Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Embiid was not listed on the injury report until just 15 minutes before the game’s start. Despite suffering a minor knee injury in a previous game, Embiid was not included in the injury reports either the day of the game or the day before. Shams, speaking on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back,” highlighted that the NBA often investigates such sudden absences.
Malone, in his postgame press conference, suggested that the NBA should look into Embiid’s abrupt withdrawal. According to Shams’ report, this is likely to happen. Notably, Embiid hasn’t played at Ball Arena since 2019.
Embiid’s absence isn’t just a disappointment for fans anticipating a high-profile matchup; it also raises questions about the Sixers’ compliance with NBA protocols. NBA teams are required to update injury reports hourly leading up to a game, and withholding information about a player’s injury status can offer a strategic advantage, as it affects the opposing team’s preparation and game plan.
Given these circumstances, it seems probable that the NBA will conduct an investigation into the situation.