NBA to Review Joel Embiid's Participation Due to Injury Management

The NBA is expected to initiate an investigation this week regarding the participation of Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Under the league's new player participation policy, implemented last year, the NBA can examine a team whenever a superstar does not play in a nationally televised game. Embiid has missed the entire preseason and will be unavailable for at least the first week of the regular season as he manages an injury to his left knee.

Embiid underwent surgery in February to repair a lateral meniscus in his left knee, resulting in a 29-game absence before his return in the postseason. Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse stated that Embiid has not experienced any setbacks since playing for Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Paris.

The 76ers report that Embiid is "responding well to his individualized plan" and plans to increase his return-to-play activities this week. In an effort to maintain Embiid's health for the playoffs, the 76ers intend to provide the 2023 NBA MVP with rest during the regular season and conduct regular evaluations, as Charania reported.

Embiid has also acknowledged to ESPN's Tim Bontemps that he is unlikely to participate in back-to-back games for the rest of his career.