After such positive buzz around the Sixers after how well this offseason went, the new season is opening on a rather sour note. The team’s star free agent signing Paul George is out for the season opener (as he recovers from a bone bruise suffered in preseason), and so is Joel Embiid, who will be out against the Bucks and on Friday due to left knee injury management.
Embiid’s absence has been a frustrating surprise for fans, given the very Sixers-y nature of the situation being clouded in unnecessary confusion and a lack of transparency. The NBA doesn’t seem to be happy either, as ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that the league is likely going to begin an investigation later this week into “the player participation” of Embiid.