Image Source: AP
[Saba Sports News] The recent game between the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers made headlines, not for the play on the court, but rather for the absence of Joel Embiid at the Ball Arena in Denver on Saturday. Nuggets fans, anticipating a clash between MVP contenders, were disappointed as Embiid was missing from the lineup. The Nuggets ultimately won 111-105, even though Embiid’s replacement, Paul Reed, outscored Nikola Jokic with 30 points to Jokic’s 26.
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone commented on Embiid’s absence in his postgame press conference. He acknowledged a sense of disappointment within his team upon learning Embiid wouldn’t play.
Moreover, Malone hinted at possible gamesmanship by the Sixers, noting the sudden change in Embiid’s status from “active” to “out” on the same day. He expects the NBA to look into this situation, stating, “I don’t know how you go from being active, available, to out. I’m sure the league will do their due diligence. Because that’s frowned upon.”
However, Malone did concede that Embiid may have genuinely been injured during a previous game against the Indiana Pacers. While the Sixers had defeated the Nuggets in their last encounter in Philadelphia, Embiid has not played in Denver since 2019.