The Philadelphia 76ers were fined $100,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for misreporting Joel Embiid’s availability status, a decision that followed the star’s return to the court in a 106‑97 double‑overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night.
Fine Details
The fine was issued after the Sixers failed to accurately disclose Embiid’s game status, which was initially listed as out, then upgraded to questionable, before he ultimately played 30 minutes in the game.
Injury Reporting History
Embiid had missed the previous nine games with a right‑knee injury. The franchise has faced prior reporting fines for his availability in:
- 2022 playoffs vs. the Heat
- January 2024 against the Nuggets
- April 2024 vs. the Thunder
Embiid’s Return and Performance
In the Hawks game, Embiid posted 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block in his seventh game of the season, after sitting out the 11‑9 win over the Wizards on Tuesday night with a “right knee injury recovery” designation.
Player’s Perspective
“When you miss a month and you’ve only had about two court sessions going up and down … it feels like the first game of the season,” Embiid said. “You build on it. I’m not even mad about it. I’m just happy I got to play the game of basketball. Next game, whether shots fall or not, I don’t really judge myself on that.
“It’s all about how I move laterally, jumping and all that stuff. Tonight was a good step toward that. I felt good in the first half. Obviously, in the second half it was a little rough, but you build on what that first half looked like and go from there.”
Implications for the Sixers
The fine adds to a pattern of reporting violations that have cost the franchise money and may affect the team’s reputation and player‑management protocols.
Key Takeaways
- Sixers fined $100,000 for misreporting Embiid’s availability status.
- Embiid returned after nine missed games, playing 30 minutes in a double‑overtime loss.
- The fine follows previous reporting penalties in 2022, January 2024, and April 2024.
The incident underscores the importance of accurate injury reporting and the NBA’s commitment to enforcing its rules, while Embiid remains focused on his recovery and performance.
