As the two top candidates for MVP, Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid have carried over their “rivalry” into this season and tonight was supposed to be when they collided in a potential game-of-the-year contender. They played last week in Philadelphia and Embiid had a great game… but apparently, that’s all we’re gonna get this season. Sadly, Joel was a late scratch from the contest with an apparent “knee soreness” according to the team. Needless to say, fans weren’t buying the story, especially since Joel was not listed on the injury report.
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
The game, which was featured on ABC as part of “Rivals Week,” was absolutely ruined by Embiid’s absence, especially since the 76ers were already playing with a short-handed roster. Fans might have been more forgiving of Embiid if it was a one-time occasion, but he’s made a routine out of sitting regular-season games and he’s made it an especially common trend to skip matches against his biggest “rival,” Nikola Jokic. Embiid hasn’t played in Denver since 2019.
NBA Fans Troll The 76es Star
By all accounts, Joel Embiid was healthy enough to play in the game and it was only a “preventative” measure that he didn’t bother to suit up. No matter what reason Embiid or the team comes up with, however, it’s not going to stop the accusations of Embiid intentionally avoiding the Nuggets. Joel, who said himself that he’s angling to be the best, isn’t doing himself any favors by taking a night off during one of the featured games of the season. And the 76ers aren’t doing themselves any favors either by essentially throwing a game against a top-tier opponent.
Unsurprisingly, the fans had a field day with the news of Embiid’s absence, and many of them tuned against the reigning MVP.
Embiid ducking Jokic in Denver every year pic.twitter.com/NGoZvows0t https://t.co/iSCVw56OYD
— Sam Yeezy (@samstaydipped) January 27, 2024
Even the fans in the arena had their fun, chanting “where’s Embiid at” right before the opening tip and going viral for their taunt of the 76ers star.
“Where’s Embiid at” 😂😂
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) January 27, 2024
Joel Embiid will likely come up with an alternate excuse for missing this game, but it’s starting to look more and more like he’s avoiding this particular matchup, even if the missed games streak against Denver is just a coincidence.
Joel Embiid the moment he’s asked to play against a good center pic.twitter.com/2hChBEy5rm
— B.W. Carlin (@BaileyCarlin) January 27, 2024
From a business standpoint, this isn’t good practice for the NBA. Embiid’s late scratch form the game ruined this event and it sends an overall bad look for fans who were hoping to tune in to watch two of the game’s top players right now.
Have seen many commercials across multiple Disney-affiliated networks the past 24 hours advertising the Jokic vs. Embiid rematch today.
It's part of "Rivals Week", which the NBA began promoting over the Summer.
If the Sixers and Nuggets are "rivals", it's because of the two…
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 27, 2024
Whether you love or hate Joel Embiid, it’s hard to argue that the criticism isn’t justified right now. For a guy who is so vocal about chasing greatness and being the best, it’s strange that he seemingly has no problem taking a night off for a game against his top opponent and biggest basketball “rival.”
Are 76ers Making A Mistake?
On one hand, there’s no doubt that player health and safety should be an important point to consider throughout the season. For a guy like Joel Embiid especially, it’s understandable to exercise caution about his body and workload on the court. But the 76ers aren’t a team that has proven anything in the playoffs and they have yet to show that they know how to win when it counts.
So for a team with so much still to prove, it might be better to have your players participate in as many games as possible to build up chemistry, and cohesion, and get some reps in against some of the game’s top teams (who they might see in the playoffs). Instead, the 76ers continue to employ questionable strategies that have not been very effective to this point.
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