Report: The 76ers are the subject of a “likely” NBA investigation into Joel Embiid’s game participation

The NBA will “likely” open an investigation into the Philadelphia 76ers regarding center Joel Embiid's involvement, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Wednesday.

The report does not mention which rules the 76ers may have violated and what the potential investigation would focus on. There is also no mention of the possible consequences if a violation is found.

The report was released just hours before Philadelphia's regular season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks. Embiid and his new All-Star teammate Paul George were both ruled out for the game. Embiid was ruled out with no specific injury reported for what the team is calling “left knee treatment.”

George suffered a bone bruise in preseason with no structural damage. His absence is not expected to be long-term. Embiid is returning from a season in which he missed 43 games, most of them due to a meniscus injury in his left knee that required late-season surgery.

Why isn't Embiid playing in the season opener in Philadelphia?

Embiid recovered from the injury in time for Philadelphia to play the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, which they lost in six games. He then played for Team USA in Paris during the Summer Olympics. He sat out the 76ers during the preseason citing “left knee management” and will miss the season opener in Philadelphia. He has no injury designation beyond “knee management.”

General manager Daryl Morey recently said he doesn't expect Embiid or George to play in many, if any, consecutive games.

Head coach Nick Nurse was asked Tuesday about the plan to rest Embiid and why Embiid won't play against the Bucks on Wednesday despite no specific injury status.

Are the 76ers violating NBA guidelines?

The NBA introduced rules in 2023 aimed at sparing star players the burden when they are not injured. Teams will be fined for various violations of the policy, including banning the use of multiple star players in the same game unless they are injured and resting star players in nationally televised games. Philadelphia's game against Milwaukee on Wednesday will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Embiid, a seven-time All-Star and 2023 NBA MVP, has been plagued by foot and knee injuries throughout his career. He missed his entire first two seasons due to injury after being selected third overall by the 76ers out of Kansas in 2014.

Since then, he has played in 51 games or less in four of his eight seasons. He never played more than 68 games in a single season.