Why are the Sixers hiding Joel Embiid’s injury status?

Nick Nurse, head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, took to the podium on Wednesday to resume his performance as a human pinata. Philadelphia’s season is now a week old, and franchise superstar Joel Embiid has yet to touch the court. No pre-season games. No regular season games. Thread. And for some reason, the Sixers, beyond classifying it as “treatment for a left knee injury,” won’t explain why. Asked again to clarify Embiid’s status before Philly’s loss to the Detroit Pistons, Nurse didn’t even try.

“I’m going to have to give it up,” he said.

Swell. Here’s the reality: Embiid Is early. At least that’s the conclusion the NBA reached when it concluded its investigation into L’Affaire Embiid this week. The league “confirmed that Embiid was unable to play in the 76ers’ regular season games this season due to a left knee condition,” the league said in a statement. For downplaying it – and some say outright lying – the NBA punched the Sixers $100,000 fine.

So why not take care of it? This is a secret. The mystery surrounding Embiid is definitely reminiscent of Kawhi Leonard. It’s not like Embiid getting injured would be a huge shock. Last season he tore the meniscus in his left knee. He broke his orbital bone, dislocated his finger and missed two full seasons with foot problems. Since being drafted, Embiid has missed 46% of the Sixers’ regular-season games.

Embiid’s injury is nothing new.

Honestly, it’s news when he’s gone.

“Our boys are practicing,” the nurse said. “They are making progress.”

I see.

This was always going to be a different season for Embiid. After years of watching the 7-foot-7 star limply exit the playoffs, Embiid and the Sixers’ priorities have changed. Embiid has already won MVP honors, collected several All-NBA nods, and made more All-Star teams than anyone cares about. There was no reason to prioritize regular-season honors. Now it’s about the playoffs.

There are no plot twists? Thin. Skip the occasional short trip? Whatever. Give him January and February off? Makes sense. Stopping the first four games of the season doesn’t mean… unless Embiid does Really hurt.

But when? AND How? Athlete reported Embiid’s knee was too “unstable” to playwhich is certainly subject to interpretation. Back in August, Embiid was playing at a competitive level. He was instrumental in helping the U.S. basketball team win a gold medal at the Olympics. He started five games. On average he spent 17 minutes. During the Sixers media day, Embiid claimed to have lost 25 to 30 pounds.

A month later… nothing. Embiid’s absence was compounded by Paul George, whose well-timed injury – a bone bruise in his left knee caused by a collision during a preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks – kept him out of the lineup. With their two stars in street uniforms, the Sixers started the season 1-4, the latest embarrassing double-digit loss to the undefeated Pistons on Wednesday.

“I have to keep fighting, keep finding ways to get guys moving forward, keep guys hitting good shots,” Tyrese Maxey said. – We have to be better defensively. We have to be better in every way. Without them, there is little margin for error.”

Is this a big deal? Not really. It’s weird, yes, but if Embiid returns this weekend – the Sixers don’t play again until Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies – it will be forgotten quickly. But he is requirements play. Maybe not 60 to 65 games. But at least he has to be over fifty. To win in the NBA, you need talent. But you also need chemistry, which can only be developed by Embiid, George, Maxey and Philadelphia’s revamped bench playing together.

The nurse (surprise) didn’t commit to any Wednesday. “I expect to have a much clearer idea on Friday,” the nurse said. He claimed he was unaware the team had been fined and suggested that reporters ask team president Daryl Morey or general manager Elton Brand for more details. He took a few more punches from the understandably irate Philadelphia press corps before retreating to the locker room.

“I have a game, a few games to practice and a lot of stuff going on,” Nurse said.

Actually. And everyone wants to know when Embiid will be a part of them.