The NBA is investigating the 76ers’ handling of Joel Embiid’s return-to-play plan

the NBA The English Premier League confirmed on Thursday that it had opened an investigation into how the Philadelphia 76ers handled the return of star Joel Embiid to the field. Embiid has been ruled out of the Sixers’ first three games this season, including their 125-109 season-opening loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, which was broadcast on national television.

Before last season, the NBA introduced a new Player Participation Policy (PPP) which requires teams to follow stricter guidelines. Players who made an All-NBA or All-Star team in any of the previous three seasons are classified as “stars” and are subject to new rules.

Under the new public-private partnership, teams must ensure:

• There is no more than one star player available for the same game
• Star players are available for national television and NBA Cup games
• Balance single-game absences of star players between road and home games
• Refrain from long-term shutdown so that it affects the integrity of the game
• Make sure the resting players are present and visible to the fans

Teams that violate the rules are fined $100,000 for the first violation, $250,000 for the second violation, and $1.25 million for the third violation. Investigations are automatically triggered when a star player misses a nationally televised game, multiple star players on the same team miss the same game or when there are inconsistent statements (from general manager, coach, player, player representative, etc.) Which contradicts the player’s statements. Status in the injury report.

There are, of course, exceptions to these rules due to injuries, personal reasons, and pre-approved consecutive restrictions based on a player’s age, job workload, or history of serious injury. Embiid, 30, told ESPN that He may “never” play consecutively for the remainder of his career.

Embiid, who falls into the category of star players, is currently following an individual recovery program for his left knee, which was surgically repaired late last season after it suffered a torn meniscus. He was limited to just 39 regular-season games, but returned for the playoffs only to aggravate 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, helping the Americans win a gold medal, which makes his current limitations somewhat surprising. It also clearly piqued the interest of the league, which could reasonably be frustrated by the absence of one of its best players on opening night.

The Sixers did not disclose a new injury, stating only that Embiid is “responding well to his individual plan and is expected to consolidate his return to playing activities this week, including scrimmages.”

At the team’s media day, Embiid revealed that he sent a text message to team president Daryl Morey after the Sixers were eliminated. “We have to do whatever it takes to make sure I’m healthy for the postseason,” Embiid wrote. To that point, he has lost 25 to 30 pounds and will wear a brace on his left knee moving forward, in addition to consecutive restraints.