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Embiid’s absence from the season opener raised suspicion in the NBA, and the league on Tuesday fined the team $100,000 for ‘misleading’ public statements.
Embiid and George have not made a single appearance for the 76ers yet this season (AP)
Joel Embiid and Paul George are 0 for 4 for the 76ers’ season.
Embiid’s and George’s season debuts remain on hold for the Philadelphia 76ers, and both players will miss Wednesday’s game against Detroit with knee injuries.
Embiid and George participated in portions of Tuesday’s practice and their playing status will be reassessed later in the week.
Sixers coach Nick Nurse declined to elaborate on their health and potential timeline to return to the lineup.
“We want these guys to play and we want them to be healthy and we want them to play great and we want them to play great all season,” Nurse said following practice. “Then my main focus is, I’ve got to do the job that I’ve got to do. I’ve got to try to get this team to play as good as it can tomorrow night. That takes a big chunk of my focus.”
George has yet to make his Sixers debut after he signed a four-year, $212 million contract as a free agent this summer. The 34-year-old has a bone bruise but did not suffer any structural damage when he hyperextended his left knee during a preseason game.
A nine-time All-Star, George was injured when his knee buckled on a defensive play.
Embiid, who won an Olympic gold medal in Paris with Team USA, has been out with what the team calls left knee management. The 30-year-old did not play in the preseason.
Embiid’s absence from the season opener raised suspicion in the NBA, and the league on Tuesday fined the team $100,000 for public statements, including by president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and by Nurse, that were inconsistent with Embiid’s health status and in violation of NBA rules, including the league’s player participation policy. It found the participation policy was not violated.
Embiid and George missed both games of a road trip against Toronto and Indiana. Without them, the 76ers are 1-2 headed into Wednesday’s home game against the Pistons.
Tyrese Maxey scored 10 of Philadelphia’s 13 overtime points and finished with a season-high 45 to help the 76ers beat the Indiana Pacers 118-114 on Sunday for their first win of the season.
The 76ers also host Memphis on Saturday night.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Associated Press)