Joel Embiid and other key players were absent from the Philadelphia 76ers' home floor on Wednesday as they began the 2024–25 season. The one-time MVP's absence is part of the plan, even though offseason addition Paul George is out due to a knee ailment.
Embiid had surgery last season after tearing his lateral meniscus in January, but he made a full recovery in April, just in time for the NBA playoffs. After the season concluded, however, he recovered sufficiently to play for the U.S. men's basketball team, which went on to win a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
According to ESPN source Shams Charania, the NBA will investigate the 76ers to determine whether they have broken the league's player participation rule. Approved before the 2023–24 season, the rule guarantees that healthy top players will be available for "all national broadcast and NBA In-Season Tournament games."
Embiid recently said he would not be playing back-to-backs this season, which infuriated Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett and added gasoline to the fire.
It is likely pointless to discuss Embiid's availability and possible league action against the Sixers. The organization has a good case for sitting the 30-year-old even though he has not been officially diagnosed with an ailment because he was spotted wearing a brace on his left knee, which he underwent surgery on, as recently as Tuesday.
Additionally, the league might want to look elsewhere if Embiid's absences are causing problems.
Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard will miss "weeks" due to knee inflammation, and Zion Williamson was out from the New Orleans Pelicans' opening game due to sickness. One could argue that, like Embiid and the Sixers, both are not necessarily hurt and are instead adhering to a program to help maintain their efficiency later in the season.