Joel Embiid who was not supposed to play suddenly found himself in the team. This has led to NBA suspecting foul play.
The league is expected to look into how the reigning MVP went from being out to being upgraded to questionable hours before the game and finally returning from a two-month absence following knee surgery, following his unexpected injury return against the Thunder on Tuesday night after he was ruled out for the game and missed the morning shootaround, according to TNT’s Jared Greenberg.
Prior to Philly’s victory over Oklahoma City, Greenberg said on air that Embiid’s return was the result of “a wild 30 hours.”
Joel Embiid came back in some style
Embiid, 30, was upgraded to questionable ninety minutes before tipoff, but he did not receive treatment at the arena after missing Tuesday’s shootaround.
Greenberg discussed Embiid’s predicament with the players. According to Greenberg, “They all say they’ve never heard of something like this.” This season, the NBA has already fined the 76ers $75,000 for “failing to include Joel Embiid on the team’s injury report in an accurate and timely manner” prior to their Jan. 27 game in Denver versus the Nuggets.
Just seconds before tipoff, Embiid was declared out of the game for the fourth time in as many games in Denver.
In his 29 minutes of play upon his return, he went 12-for-12 from the free-throw line while dishing out 24 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and three steals.
