The optics of Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid’s no-show against the Denver Nuggets only continue to worsen.
Embiid was largely scrutinized for being a late scratch from the Sixers’ Saturday clash against the Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. Even Nuggets head coach Michael Malone was critical of the MVP’s unexpected absence.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Embiid was only added to the injury report 15 minutes before tipoff. Charania added that Embiid did suffer a minor knee injury from Philadelphia’s previous game but wasn’t listed on the injury report throughout the entire day or even the previous day.
“He wasn’t on the team’s injury report the day before the game. He wasn’t on the injury report all day. He didn’t enter the injury report, I’m told, until 15 minutes before tipoff. … The league will look into these types of situations,” said Shams on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back.”
"Joel Embiid did injure his knee the previous game… He didn't enter the injury report, I'm told, until 15 minutes before tip off [of Sixers-Nuggets]… The league will look into these situations."
– Shams Charania 👀
(via @RunItBackFDTV)pic.twitter.com/PRsQpesocC
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 29, 2024
Malone had hinted during his postgame press conference that the NBA should investigate Embiid’s sudden absence. Shams’ report indicated that would likely be the case. Embiid has not played at Ball Arena since 2019.
Embiid’s unavailability was more than just a letdown for fans hoping to witness a rivalry matchup. NBA teams are tasked with sending in an injury report hour-by-hour up until a game tips off. Withholding injury information in the manner the Sixers did granted them a competitive advantage given that their opponents may have centered their game plan on stopping the star center.
It appears more than likely that the NBA will look into the matter sooner rather than later.
