After a recent investigation, the NBA has found that the Philadelphia 76ers have not been forthcoming with the situation regarding Joel Embiid. On Tuesday, the Sixers were officially fined $100,000 for their handling of the issue and for their public comments relating to Embiid’s ongoing health and safety.
“The NBA has fined the Philadelphia 76ers $100,000 for public statements around health status of All-NBA center Joel Embiid,” reported ESPN’s Shams Charania. “Sources said the NBA’s investigation showed that the Sixers did not violate player participation policy with Embiid’s missed games, but in fact with the public comments that did not properly reflect his health issues with his knee.”
Joel Embiid, a former MVP, has struggled with injuries throughout his career and it was injuries that derailed his 2024-25 campaign. The 76ers finished 7th in the East before being bounced in the first round by Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks.
Going into this season, Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers agreed on a comprehensive load management plan that involved avoiding all back-to-backs and resting for a sizeable chunk of regular-season games. But when he announced his plans to the world during NBA media day, it was met with major scrutiny.
With so many stars and fans speaking out against the plan, the NBA was forced to step in and launch an investigation in the spirit of their new player participation policy.
The policy sets restrictions on the reasons that players can miss games and punishes those who can only play a percentage of the season. The NBA did not find the 76ers at fault for wrongfully benching their superstar but they did find the team guilty of allegedly misleading the public over the nature of Embiid’s recovery.
The 76ers will have to pay a $100,000 fine and may have to re-address their current strategy with Embiid. As frustration boils over for the media, the fans, and the NBA, the team is feeling increasing pressure to explain Embiid’s absence. Head coach Nick Nurse is having it out with the media over updates on the situation.
What’s most baffling about Embiid is that he was just healthy and playing basketball in the Olympics a few months ago. He was a major contributor for Team USA and now, with the season in full swing, there is no word yet on when or if he’ll make his season debut for the 76ers.
Of course, Embiid’s new running mate Paul George is also dealing with injury issues of his own and has yet to make an appearance this season. Right now, it’s the Tyrese Maxey show in Philadelphia and there is no sign or word on when he can expect the help of his veteran co-stars.
At 1-2 so far this season, the 76ers are already racking up losses and every game that Embiid misses will be another that they have to make up later. And after going from one sidekick to the next for years, Joel doesn’t have too much longer before his title window slams shut for good.
This season could be his best chance to win for the foreseeable future and Embiid would be better off if he didn’t waste it on the sidelines.
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