Due to left knee pain, Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid was forced to leave the game late in Saturday afternoon’s 111-105 loss against the Denver Nuggets and MVP contender Nikola Jokic.
The NBA MVP candidate was shut down for the game by the team’s medical staff because they didn’t like the way he was moving after his customary before workout. Before Saturday’s game, Embiid had a big bandage on his knee in the locker room.
When asked when he knew Embiid wouldn’t be able to play, 76ers coach Nick Nurse replied, “Not until about 20–25 to go on the clock.” “He did go out to do his regular warmup and the medical care team just didn’t like what they saw and … they just decided that it was safer, much safer for him not to play today.”
It’s unclear how much time Embiid will miss due to the ailment this time around, but he appeared to aggravate his knee during Thursday’s away defeat to the Indiana Pacers. Embiid missed three games earlier this month due to the same problem.
Prior to Monday’s game in Portland against the Trail Blazers, the nurse stated that Embiid, Tyrese Maxey (ankle), and Tobias Harris (illness) will all have another evaluation on Sunday.
Tuesday night, Philadelphia will travel to play Golden State. On Thursday night, the team will conclude its five-game road trip at Utah.
“Joel obviously after the San Antonio game was feeling pretty good,” the nurse added. “We traveled to Indiana. His movements at Indiana didn’t seem very good. There, I was a little worried.
“Again, it was just, I don’t think it’s anything super major, but they’re always kind of monitoring any of the swelling or whatever’s going on and try to get it under control and get him ready as soon as we can.”
In addition to his limited movement in Thursday’s defeat to the Pacers, Embiid didn’t appear on the injury report prior to the game, which contributed to his absence on Saturday. This was mentioned by Nurse.
The NBA may look into Embiid’s circumstances surrounding his absence from the game and the reason he wasn’t initially included on the injury report in light of his late scratch. Jimmy Butler was withdrawn from the Miami Heat’s game last season due to a back condition, despite not being included on the injury report. The NBA penalized the team $25,000 for “failing to comply with league policies governing injury reporting.”
Michael Malone, the coach of the Nuggets, stated he anticipated an investigation.
“I don’t know how you go from being active, and available, to out,” remarked Malone. It is not acceptable, therefore I’m sure the league will conduct their research. This season, there have been instances in which we have spoken with the league; if a player changes from active to out, an investigation will take place. I’m positive that will occur.
“During the Indiana game, Joel injured his knee. It is true. We followed the match. It’s really difficult when a guy and a team like ours prepare for them, and then all of a sudden, at the last minute, he’s out. He obviously damaged his knee in that Indiana game. However, we need to manage those circumstances more skillfully.”
Regardless, since Embiid and Jokic started their yearly competition for the league’s top individual award in the 2020–21 season, Embiid has missed four seasons in a row of playing here at Ball Arena.
Due to a meniscus injury in March 2021, COVID-19 in November 2021, and a calf problem in March 2023, Embiid missed three games.
Over the previous two seasons, Embiid’s run of missing games in Denver has been a recurring plot point. One such instance was when he skipped this game between these two teams late in the 2022–2023 regular season, during the height of the controversy surrounding MVP. In the end, Embiid prevailed, defeating Jokic, who was attempting to win three in a row.
As Denver jumped off to an early lead, supporters there began a boisterous “Where’s Embiid at?” chant halfway through the first quarter.
After leaving the game to the bench in the fourth quarter, he was showered with more chanting towards the end of the contest. Once he acknowledged the audience, they pelted him with more jeers.
When asked how fans should feel about the 76ers playing without their top three players, Nurse responded, “I think that’s always disappointing, and I think that for any fan that wants to see the star players play, it’s always disappointing.”
“He really wanted to play, but the medical staff said he wasn’t well enough to play today. And those fans are unfortunate. It’s really unfortunate.
Absent With 11 games missing so far this season, Embiid’s eligibility for this season’s MVP award is in jeopardy following Saturday’s clash. Players who participate in fewer than 65 games are not eligible for numerous season-ending awards, such as MVP and All-NBA, according to the new player participation regulations implemented this season.
The remaining 38 games for Philadelphia are now limited to six missed by Embiid in order for him to win a second consecutive MVP trophy.
On the floor, though, the lackluster 76ers came dangerously close to pulling off an unexpected upset. Denver eventually pulled away behind Jokic’s 26 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists after trailing after three quarters and tying halfway through the fourth.
“I feel there was a letdown when we found out at the tip-off that Joel Embiid would not be playing tonight,” Malone stated. “I believe there was a collective exhale, and in this industry, doing so can result in a game as exciting as the one we’re playing right now. First of all, let’s give them credit—those guys played fantastically, and let’s be honest—we’re lucky to win today.”