NBA Fines Sixers—Again—Over Joel Embiid Injury Handling

The NBA continues to hammer the Sixers for its handling of Joel Embiid’s availability. 

On Wednesday, the NBA fined the Sixers $100,000 for violating the league’s injury rules after the team initially listed Embiid as “out” on its injury report in a Nov. 30 game he wound up playing in. Embiid had been dealing with knee soreness and wasn’t expected to play, but wound up being cleared. He logged 30 minutes in a double-overtime loss to the Hawks. 

In its release, the NBA said the fine accounted for the Sixers history of violating its injury reporting rules, most of which are tied to Embiid. The team was previously fined for its handling of Embiid’s availability during the 2022 playoffs against the Heat after he was declared available just 40 minutes before tipoff. The Sixers were fined twice in a four-month span during the 2023–24 season for failing to properly disclose Embiid’s availability status on its injury report. 

Also in 2024, the NBA investigated the Sixers before the regular season even started after coach Nick Nurse and GM Daryl Morey ruled Embiid out of the first three games without disclosing that he had an injury. Embiid had been healthy enough that summer to play for Team USA in the Paris Olympics. The comments led the NBA to fine the Sixers $100,000. 

Since 2022, the Sixers’ failure to adhere to league rules regarding Embiid’s availability has cost the team $425,000.

Embiid will be paid $55 million this season before his three-year, $188 million extension kicks in. The Sixers are 11–9 through Wednesday, which is ninth in the Eastern Conference standings, despite boasting a trio of All Stars in Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey. Embiid has only played in seven games due to right knee issues, and his 24 minutes and 19.4 points per game averages are both career lows.