The NBA is planning to open an investigation into how the Philadelphia 76ers are handling star center Joel Embiid's return to play, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Embiid was recently ruled out of the Sixers' first three games of the season, including their opener on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Exact details regarding the investigation are unclear, but it is likely related to the league's new player participation policy.
Ahead of last season, the league introduced new rules regarding player participation that requires teams to follow stricter guidelines. A new criteria was introduced to declare some players "stars" if they had made an All-NBA or All-Star team in any of the three previous seasons.
Under the new PPP, teams must ensure that:
- No more than one star player is unavailable for the same game
- Star players are available for national TV and NBA Cup games
- Maintain a balance between one-game absences for star players between road and home games
- Refrain from a long-term shutdown such that it would affect the integrity of the game
- Ensure that rested players are present and visible to fans
Teams found to be violating such rules will be fined $100,000 for the first violation, $250,000 for the second violation and $1.25 million for a third violation.
Exceptions to such rules are, of course, in place for injuries, personal reasons and pre-approved back-to-back restrictions based on a player's age, career workload or serious injury history. Embiid, 30, told ESPN that he may "never" play in back-to-backs for the remainder of his career.
Embiid, who falls into the star player category, is currently following an individualized recovery program for his left knee, which was surgically repaired late last season after he tore his meniscus. Embiid was limited to just 39 regular season games. He returned for the playoffs, and re-aggravated the injury during the Sixers' first-round series with the New York Knicks, which they lost in six games.
Embiid was able to participate in the Olympics this summer with Team USA, however, which has made his current restrictions somewhat surprising.
CBS Sports will continue updating this story.
