Joel Embiid’s Sudden Absence Sparks Speculation and Confusion

The announcement of Joel Embiid’s absence from the Philadelphia 76ers’ game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday not only disappointed fans hoping for a clash between Embiid and Nikola Jokić but also left Denver coach Michael Malone puzzled. Expressing his surprise at the abrupt change in Embiid’s status, Malone even suggested that the league might investigate the situation.

Malone, in his postgame comments, questioned the sudden shift from Embiid being active and available to being ruled out. He stated, “I don’t know how you go from being active, available, to out. I’m sure the league will do their due diligence. Because that’s frowned upon.” Malone alluded to previous instances this season where the league had been contacted regarding similar situations and implied that investigations had taken place.

Adding to the confusion, Malone mentioned that he saw Embiid sustain a knee injury in the previous game against the Indiana Pacers. Despite acknowledging Embiid’s potential injury, Malone’s comments appeared contradictory, leaving room for speculation.

Malone also expressed that the news of Embiid’s absence led to a “letdown” from his team just before tip-off. However, the Nuggets ultimately secured a 111–105 victory with a balanced offensive effort, featuring multiple players scoring 18 or more points. Jokić led the way with an impressive performance of 26 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists.

The aftermath of Embiid’s unexpected absence and Malone’s comments raises questions about the transparency of injury reports and the potential implications for the league’s investigation into such situations.