The 76ers are reportedly facing investigation over Embiid’s absence

Ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers’ season opener, one of the biggest storylines is a player who won’t be playing. After not playing at all in the preseason, Joel Embiid was forced to play against the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this week.

The Sixers have stated that Embiid is not injured but is simply rehabilitating a knee injury he suffered last season. The team’s primary goal is to get the former MVP healthy into the postseason, which is why they are approaching the start of the year with caution.

Last season, the league enacted its player involvement guidelines to reduce load management throughout the year. The new 65-game rule is one of the main considerations, but it’s also about checking when superstar talent misses nationally televised games.

Before the Sixers’ game with the Bucks, Shams Charania reported that the league would likely investigate Embiid’s absence from Wednesday’s game.

In his story for ESPN on the topic, Charania delved deeper into the Sixers’ wariness of their superstar big man. He cited that routine medical visits and occasional time off are part of the team’s long-term plan.

This is part of the new normal for Embiid this season, according to sources, a strategy to keep the former NBA MVP healthy for the postseason. According to these sources, the plan will include regular time off during the regular season as well as routine examinations by doctors and the 76ers’ medical staff.

Another benefit of Embiid’s absence is that Paul George will also be sidelined at the start of the year due to a bone bruise in the preseason. That leaves Tyrese Maxey as the only star of Philly’s new Big Three on the roster as they look to start the season in the win column.