Photo: Philadelphia 76ers/Twitter

The NBA is reportedly preparing to open an investigation to determine whether the Philadelphia 76ers violated the league’s player participation policy regarding the absence of star player Joel Embiid.

This scrutiny arose after the Sixers announced that Embiid would miss all three of their scheduled games this week, with the official reason given as “left knee injury management.”

The 76ers emphasized that Embiid is “responding well to his individualized plan,” which includes a gradual increase in his physical activity over the coming week. This ramp-up will involve participation in team scrimmages as he continues his rehabilitation process.

Additionally, it’s expected that both Joel Embiid and Paul George will miss back-to-back games throughout this season, raising questions about compliance with the NBA’s new policy aimed at limiting load management and ensuring star players are available for high-profile games.

In Embiid’s case, he has undergone a significant physical transformation, having lost between 25 and 30 pounds, with plans to lose even more weight.

Despite this progress, he is still wearing a brace on his left knee. His health has been a persistent concern, as Embiid played in just 39 games during the previous season, and the team appears to be cautious with his return to avoid further injury.