Denver fans taunt Joel Embiid for sitting out against Nuggets
Apr 16, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) before game one of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid sat out Saturday’s contest in Denver against the Nuggets due to a knee issue, and he heard it from the fans who were hoping to see him take on Nikola Jokic.
Nuggets fans could be heard loudly chanting “Where’s Embiid at?” during the first quarter. Saturday’s contest marks the fourth consecutive game Embiid has sat out in Denver, having missed previous meetings with injuries to his meniscus and calf, as well as COVID.
"Where's Embiid?" chants broke out in Denver after he was ruled inactive 😅 pic.twitter.com/G8VhfZWfAb
— ESPN (@espn) January 27, 2024
Embiid was a late scratch from Saturday’s game with left knee soreness. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN indicated that 76ers trainers were concerned about Embiid after watching him in warmups, and they were the ones that made the decision to hold him out of the game.
Embiid is out with left knee soreness, source says. Sixers training staff had concerns while watching Embiid during his warm-up routine and made decision for him to sit out vs. Denver today, sources said. Sixers are without Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris. https://t.co/tWBqfQ6RPw
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 27, 2024
Jokic and Embiid have combined to win the last three MVP awards, and their matchups are highly anticipated. Nuggets fans have not had the chance to see one since 2019, however, and they have let Embiid hear it in the past as a result. Saturday’s absence will only reinforce their belief that Embiid is ducking the road matchup, even if there is no indication of that.
