NBA fines 76ers $100k for misleading statements on Joel Embiid status

The NBA fined the Philadelphia 76ers $100,000 on Tuesday for public statements that "were inconsistent with Joel Embiid's health status and in violation of NBA rules, including the league's Player Participation Policy."

After Embiid was held out of the 76ers' season-opening showdown with the Milwaukee Bucks -- a nationally televised game -- due to left knee soreness, the league launched an investigation pursuant to its player participation policy, introduced last year in response to the frequent "load management" of star players.

The league said in a statement Tuesday that Embiid himself has not violated the policy, as its investigation confirmed that he is dealing with a "left knee condition."

However, statements by Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey in the lead-up to the season did not accurately reflect Embiid's status. The NBA did not include examples of those statements.

Embiid, 30, was the 2022-23 league Most Valuable Player but was limited to just 39 games last season. After another frustrating playoff exit in which the star center was not 100 percent, Embiid vowed earlier this month will "probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career" to preserve his body.

Embiid and new 76ers signing Paul George (knee) are set to miss their fourth straight game Wednesday against the visiting Detroit Pistons. — Field Level Media/Reuters