CAMDEN, NJ — After a lengthy Tuesday practice session, the Philadelphia 76ers provided an injury update on their two missing stars, Joel Embiid and Paul George. In a message to media members, the Sixers spoke on the pair’s status.
It was an abnormal experience at the Sixers’ practice facility today. The sounds of scrimmaging range through the building as the team’s practice session lasted longer than expected. It quickly became clear that some announcement was pending; as the way the media availability was handled in a way that was less than typical.
Despite typically speaking with Sixers head coach Nick Nurse shortly after practice, Nurse was the last to address the media. As the wait continued, an announcement to the media was made by the team.
“Joel Embiid and Paul George are out tomorrow vs. Detroit,” A team rep told reporters via a message. “They participated in portions of practice today and will be re-assessed later in the week.”
Shortly after this announcement was made to media members, Nick Nurse, at long last, approached the media for his post-practice meeting. It quickly became clear that he was not there to discuss either Joel Embiid or Paul George.
When asked if either player participated in the team’s five-on-five scrimmage, which has been described as the next step, according to Nurse, the Sixers’ head coach had a short reply.
“You guys got the update,” Nurse said. “They were in parts of practice. On we go.”
Shortly after, Nurse was asked a question that we’ll never quite know the nature of as Nurse quickly cut the reporter off.
“I’m not going answer, he said. “Anybody else got anything? They’ve given you the updates on that, right?
That would be the last that Embiid or George would be mentioned by name.
The Sixers will face the Detroit Pistons tomorrow at 7 p.m. and will once again do so without Joel Embiid and Paul George.
Though Nurse and the Sixers are insistent on keeping as much as possible close to their vest, particularly the details of Joel Embiid’s “individual treatment plan,” this is not going away any time soon. Especially not with the NBA actively investigating the team.
*Update*
We have now found out why Nick Nurse was so reluctant to comment on the status of Joel Embiid. After an investigation, the NBA has fined the Philadelphia 76ers $100,000 for inconsistent public comments made regarding Joel Embiid’s knee injury.
