NBA expected to investigate 76ers’ bizarre Joel Embiid injury twist after ‘wild 30 hours’
Joel Embiid was out. Then he was suddenly in. And now, he and the 76ers have the NBAâs attention.
Following the reigning MVPâs sudden return from injury against the Thunder on Tuesday night after he was ruled out for the game and missed the morning shootaround, the league is expected to investigate how he went from out to being upgraded to questionable hours before the game and ultimately returning from a two-month absence following knee surgery, according to TNTâs Jared Greenberg.
Greenberg reported on air before Phillyâs win over Oklahoma City that âa wild 30 hoursâ led to Embiidâs return, starting with Monday morning reports that Embiid was on the brink of returning and could possibly play Tuesday.
The 76ers later on Monday ruled Embiid out for the game.
Joel Embiid reacts during the 76ersâ win over the Thunder on Tuesday. Getty Images
Embiid, 30, didnât get treatment at the arena after not partaking in Tuesdayâs shootaround, yet was upgraded to questionable around 90 minutes before tipoff.
Greenberg spoke to former and current players about Embiidâs situation.
âThey all say theyâve never heard of something like this,â Greenberg reported.
The 76ers were already fined $75,000 by the NBA this season for âfailing to include Joel Embiid on the teamâs injury report in an accurate and timely mannerâ before a game against the Nuggets in Denver on Jan. 27.
Joel Embiid shoots against the Thunder on Tuesday. Getty Images
Embiid was scratched moments before tipoff and marked the fourth straight time he sat out a game in Denver.
The seven-time All-Star played 29 minutes in his return, scoring 24 points with seven assists, six rebounds and three steals, while going 12-for-12 from the free-throw line.
âUsually, when I have injuries, I just tell myself, move on to the next one, get better, and then fix it,â Embiid said after Tuesdayâs game, per ESPN. âBut this one took a toll mentally, being depressed ⊠It was not a good one.
âSo, still not where Iâm supposed to be, especially mentally, but I just love to play and love basketball and I want to play and any chance that I can be out there, Iâm going to take it.â
Joel Embiid defends the Thunderâs Jaylin Williams on Tuesday. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Sixers (41-35) entered Wednesday holding the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference, which would put them into the play-in tournament.
They were two games behind the Pacers for the No. 6 seed, and one-and-a-half games behind the seventh-place Heat, whom the 76ers face on the road on Thursday.
Philadelphiaâs final five games are against the Grizzlies, Spurs, Pistons, Magic and Nets.