The absence of Philadelphia 76ers" star center, Joel Embiid, during the January 27th matchup against the Denver Nuggets, left fans and critics questioning the team"s injury report updates. However, a recent report sheds light on the situation, revealing that it was not Embiid"s choice to sit out the game.
Joel Embiid, who leads the league in scoring with an impressive 36.0 points per game along with 11.4 rebounds per contest, found himself unable to take the court against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.
ESPN"s Ramona Shelburne provided insights into the situation on NBA Today, explaining that Embiid had pleaded with the 76ers staff to exclude him from the injury report, insisting that he was determined to play in the crucial matchup.
“Don"t even put me on the injury report, I"m playing in this [Sixers-Nuggets] game," Embiid reportedly told the 76ers staff, revealing his eagerness to contribute despite dealing with a nagging knee injury.
"[Joel Embiid] said, 'Don't even put me on the injury report, I'm playing in this [Sixers-Nuggets] game.' He went out and warmed up, he can't even jump… It was not even his choice."@ramonashelburne on Embiid managing his knee injury.pic.twitter.com/xMkPxtyDOg
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 29, 2024
The 29-year-old reportedly struggled to jump off the ground, revealing the severity of his discomfort. It was later revealed that the pain in his knee had been exacerbated during the team"s previous game against the Indiana Pacers.
The 76ers" medical staff decided to prioritize Embiid"s long-term health over immediate gameplay, vetoing his plea to take the court against the Nuggets.
Embiid"s absence is a setback for the Sixers, who currently hold the third-place standing in the Eastern Conference. The team"s success is closely tied to the performance of their star center, especially considering his recent historical 70-point game on January 22nd.
While Embiid will have to wait for the next opportunity to face off against Nikola Jokic, the Sixers aim to maintain their position in the Eastern Conference. The star center"s health remains a key factor as they pursue their ambitions for a deep playoff run in the coming months.
