Joel Embiid was out. Then he was suddenly in. And now, he and the 76ers have the NBA’s attention.
Following the reigning MVP’s 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 TNT’s Jared Greenberg.
Greenberg reported on air before Philly’s win over Oklahoma City that “a wild 30 hours” led to Embiid’s 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 76ers’ win over the Thunder on Tuesday. Getty ImagesEmbiid, 30, didn’t get treatment at the arena after not partaking in Tuesday’s shootaround, yet was upgraded to questionable around 90 minutes before tipoff.
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Greenberg spoke to former and current players about Embiid’s situation.
“They all say they’ve never heard of something like this,” Greenberg reported.
The 76ers were already fined $75,000 by the NBA this season for “failing to include Joel Embiid on the team’s injury report in an accurate and timely manner” before a game against the Nuggets in Denver on Jan. 27.
Joel Embiid shoots against the Thunder on Tuesday. Getty ImagesEmbiid 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.
“Usually, when I have injuries, I just tell myself, move on to the next one, get better, and then fix it,” Embiid said after Tuesday’s game, per ESPN. “But this one took a toll mentally, being depressed … It was not a good one.
“So, still not where I’m 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, I’m going to take it.”
Joel Embiid defends the Thunder’s Jaylin Williams on Tuesday. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY SportsThe 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.
Philadelphia’s final five games are against the Grizzlies, Spurs, Pistons, Magic and Nets.
