Saturday"s matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers was one of the most anxiously awaited games of the season. Both teams have had strong starts to the year and with 2023 league MVP Joel Embiid set to face off against the 2022 MVP Nikola Jokić, this was must-watch television.
Unfortunately, Embiid was a last minute scratch from the lineup in what turned out to be a major blow for NBA fans around the globe.
The NBA is expected to review the Sixers’ decision to have Joel Embiid sit out against the Nuggets, per @ShamsCharania
"[Joel Embiid] didn't enter the injury report, I'm told, until fifteen minutes before tip off, and for sure that's something that the league will have to… pic.twitter.com/z1Yu5qY4pZ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 29, 2024
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the decision to scratch Embiid will be looked into by the league. Embiid was apparently only added the the team"s injury report 15 minutes before the start of the game.
“For sure that is something the league will have to review…especially when it is a last second scratch like this,"said Charania
Embiid has not played at Denver"s Ball Arena since 2019.
Charania did confirm that Embiid had suffered a knee injury in his previous game.
"Joel Embiid did injure his knee the previous game… He didn't enter the injury report, I'm told, until 15 minutes before tip off [of Sixers-Nuggets]… The league will look into these situations."
– Shams Charania 👀
(via @RunItBackFDTV)pic.twitter.com/PRsQpesocC
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 29, 2024
The 76ers star was given a hostile reception from the home fans who were hoping to see the to former MVPs go head-to-head. He was jeered by fans when he appeared in regular street clothes on the sidelines. Denver fans also chanted “Where"s Embiid at?"
The Nuggets went on to win the game 111-105 and improve to 32-15 on the season. The 76ers currently remain third in the Eastern Conference with a 29-15 record.
Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokić are once again the two early frontrunner for the MVP award. Embiid is averaging 36 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. Jokić is currently averaging 26.3 points, 12 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game.
