Joel Embiid’s return on Tuesday was shrouded in controversy as the Philadelphia 76ers center made his comeback after battling a lingering knee injury since January.
In a hard-fought 109-105 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa., the reigning MVP showcased his prowess on the court, albeit in limited minutes of just under 30.
Despite anticipation building up to his return, including reports hinting at his imminent comeback, Embiid’s appearance against the Thunder still managed to catch many off guard, including the NBA office.
Leading up to the game, TNT reporter Jared Greenberg described the events as “a wild 30 hours” in his pregame report.
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Initially ruled out of the contest, Embiid’s status suddenly shifted as game time approached. Although he missed the morning shootaround, he unexpectedly arrived at the Wells Fargo Center two hours before tip-off, prompting an upgrade to questionable status and eventual clearance to play.
Greenberg’s report hinted at potential scrutiny from the NBA league office, with suggestions of an impending investigation into the irregular reporting surrounding Embiid’s availability.
NBA regulations mandate teams to provide accurate and timely injury reports ahead of games, making Embiid’s sudden reversal from being ruled out to being available a cause for concern within the league.
This isn’t the first instance of the 76ers facing scrutiny for their handling of injury reports. Earlier in the season, Philadelphia faced repercussions for a similar situation involving Embiid’s abrupt absence against the Denver Nuggets.
