Embiid’s Absence Overshadows Nuggets’ Victory Over 76ers

A Tale of Two Cities: Denver’s Triumph and Philadelphia’s Disappointment

In a highly anticipated showdown between two of the NBA’s top teams, the Denver Nuggets emerged victorious over the Philadelphia 76ers with a 111-105 triumph at Ball Arena on Saturday afternoon. However, the game was overshadowed by the late scratch of 76ers star center Joel Embiid due to left knee soreness, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his unavailability.

Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP, went through his typical pregame workout but was deemed unfit to play by the team’s medical personnel. He was seen sporting a large wrap on his knee in the locker room before the game. 76ers coach Nick Nurse explained that the decision to sit Embiid was made shortly before tip-off.

“Not until about 20-25 to go on the clock,” Nurse said when asked when he knew Embiid wouldn’t be able to play. “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.”

Embiid’s absence added to the 76ers’ injury woes, as Tyrese Maxey (ankle) and Tobias Harris (illness) were also sidelined. Nurse indicated that all three players would be re-evaluated on Sunday ahead of Monday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The late scratch of Embiid, who was not listed on the injury report prior to the game, raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about the circumstances surrounding his unavailability. The NBA may investigate the situation, as it did last season when the Miami Heat were fined $25,000 for failing to comply with league policies governing injury reporting.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone expressed his surprise at Embiid’s sudden absence. “I don’t know how you go from being active, and available, to out,” Malone said. “I’m sure the league will do their due diligence, because that’s frowned upon. We’ve had situations this year where we talked to the league, and if we have a player that goes from active to out, there’s going to be an investigation. I’m sure that’ll happen.”

Embiid’s string of missed games in Denver has become a recurring theme in recent seasons. He has now missed four consecutive games at Ball Arena, dating back to the 2020-21 season. Injuries and COVID-19 protocols have prevented him from facing the Nuggets in Denver in each of the past four years.

The absence of Embiid, Maxey, and Harris was a significant blow to the 76ers’ chances of victory. Despite the setbacks, the starless 76ers nearly pulled off a shocking upset. They led after three quarters and were tied midway through the fourth quarter before the Nuggets finally pulled away behind a strong performance from Nikola Jokic, who finished with 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists.

“I feel there was a letdown when we found out at the tip-off that Joel Embiid would not be playing tonight,” Malone said. “I think there was a collective exhale and when you do that in this business, you can make for an interesting game like today. So first off, give them credit … those guys played outstanding, and we’re lucky to come out of here with a win today, let’s be honest.”

Embiid’s absence also has implications for his MVP candidacy. Under the new player participation rules implemented this season, players must play in at least 65 games to be eligible for major season-ending awards, including MVP and All-NBA. Embiid has now missed 11 games this season, meaning he can only miss six of Philadelphia’s final 38 games to remain eligible for a second consecutive MVP award.

The 76ers will continue their five-game road trip with games against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday and the Utah Jazz on Thursday before returning home to face the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.

Call to Action:

Stay tuned for the latest updates on Embiid’s injury and the 76ers’ pursuit of a playoff spot as the season progresses. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and comments on this captivating NBA matchup and the ongoing MVP race. Join the conversation and let’s elevate the discussion!