The NBA is expected to launch an investigation into the Philadelphia 76ers later this week regarding the management of All-NBA center Joel Embiid’s playing time, according to sources from ESPN on Wednesday.
Embiid has been sidelined during the preseason, with the team citing left knee injury management as the reason. He will also miss three games this week, including the season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Friday’s matchup with the Toronto Raptors, and Sunday’s game against the Indiana Pacers.
It is common practice for the NBA to review instances where a superstar player misses a nationally televised game, as stipulated by the league’s player participation policy. In Embiid’s case, the 76ers have indicated that he is “responding well to his individualized plan” and will begin ramping up his return-to-play activities, which include scrimmages.
Sources say this approach reflects a new strategy for Embiid this season, designed to keep the former NBA MVP healthy for the playoffs. The plan is expected to involve periodic rest throughout the regular season and routine evaluations from medical professionals.
Daryl Morey, the Sixers’ president of basketball operations, recently told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps that Philadelphia plans to limit both Embiid and Paul George’s participation in back-to-back games this season. “We’re going to be smart about it. Part of being smart is having both Paul [George] and Joel probably not play many back-to-backs, if any,” Morey stated.
Embiid himself confirmed that he likely won’t play back-to-back games moving forward.
“If I had to guess, I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career,” he said.
In preparation for the season, Embiid has shed 25 to 30 pounds, with the goal of losing more, and he will continue to wear a brace on his left knee despite his preference not to. The brace is intended to provide structural stability and protection.
Last season, Embiid was limited to just 39 games due to knee injuries. Although he returned in time for the playoffs against the New York Knicks, he was not at full strength. Additionally, he dealt with a sudden onset of Bell’s palsy during the series. This summer, Embiid represented Team USA and played a key role in their victory at the Paris Olympics, where they secured a fifth consecutive gold medal.
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