The NBA fined the Philadelphia 76ers $75,000 on Thursday for not listing Joel Embiid's knee issue on the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets.
The following has been released by the NBA: pic.twitter.com/eyOZAfTaJY
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 1, 2024
Philadelphia was not fined for violating the player participation policy, as the league confirmed the authenticity of Embiid's injury, but the fine amount did factor in the 76ers' history of breaking rules about reporting injuries.
Embiid looked set to play Saturday against the Nuggets and star center Nikola Jokic as he was not listed on the 76ers' injury report despite experiencing knee discomfort in his previous game against the Indiana Pacers. However, following his warmup routine, the team's medical staff opted to shut down Embiid at the last minute. The NBA had promoted the game throughout the day as a national TV matchup on ABC.
The 29-year-old's sudden scratch drew widespread criticism of both the team and Embiid, who hasn't played in Denver since November 2019.
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone also questioned Embiid's unexpected absence.
"I don't know how you go from being active, available, to out. And I'm sure the league will do their due diligence, because that’s frowned upon," Malone said after Denver's 111-105 win versus Philadelphia, courtesy of The Denver Post's Bennett Durando.
"And we've had situations this year where we talked to the league, and they told us if a player goes from being active to out, there's going to be an investigation. So I'm sure that'll happen. And I'm sure that Joel, he hurt his knee in the Indiana game. Like, that's real. … I'm sure he is hurt."
Embiid missed Philadelphia's next game Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers with left knee soreness. He returned Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors but looked uncomfortable throughout, moving more gingerly as the game progressed. He was then removed from the contest entirely with four minutes remaining after looking to be in considerable pain when Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga fell on his bothersome left knee.
Joel Embiid went to the locker room after getting tied up with Jonathan Kuminga pic.twitter.com/bkOREMkd7F
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 31, 2024
The 76ers are now awaiting the results of an MRI on Embiid's knee and have already listed the star center out for Thursday's game against the Utah Jazz. Embiid, whose absence Thursday will be his 13th this year, can only miss another four games this season to remain eligible for end-of-season awards, including a possible second consecutive MVP trophy.
