NBA to Investigate Joel Embiid's Participation with the Sixers
REPORT: NBA to Investigate Joel Embiid’s Participation with the Philadelphia 76ers
Source: Michael Reaves / Getty
It is no secret that Joel Embiid is one of the top stars in the league that is most susceptible to injury, but his participation — or lack thereof — is raising concerns around the NBA.
According to ESPN, The NBA is likely to begin an investigation later this week into the Philadelphia 76ers surrounding the player participation of former MVP center Joel Embiid, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
The 76ers are cautious of how much they work the big man, as they would like to have him be healthy for an entire season, which might include Embiid sitting out for certain games.
Embiid was ineligible to win the NBA MVP last year — despite performing at an MVP level everytime he played last season — due to the number of games he missed. Embiid played in only 39 games last season because of knee injuries which ultimately disqualified him from consideration.
Source: Mitchell Leff / Getty
Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps earlier this month that Philadelphia would try to refrain from playing both Embiid and Paul George in multiple back-to-backs this season.
“We’re going to be smart about it. Part of being smart about it is having both Paul [George] and Joel probably not play many back-to-backs, if any,” Morey said.
Embiid echoed those sentiments to sources. “If I had to guess, I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career.” Embiid told Bontemps.
This has led to the NBA launching an investigation in connection to the Cameroon center playing with the Philadelphia Franchise.
According to reports, Embiid has lost 25 to 30 pounds, with the hope to lose more, and will continue to wear a brace on his left knee. Sixers officials say that Embiid is “responding well to his individualized plan” and will ramp up his return-to-play activities this week, including going through scrimmages.
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