- Load management among NBA players has been one of the league’s biggest stories over the past few years.
- Philadelphia general manager Daryl Morey said that star center Joel Embiid won’t play in back-to-back games this season.
- The NBA fined the 76ers $100,000 for “misrepresenting” public statements about Embiid’s health status.
The NBA and their players have been dealing with load management for a while now. Teams and players are trying to get to the playoffs with a clean bill of health. However, the league wants its stars playing as much as possible for their fans, but more importantly, for their media deals.
The league fined the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, October 29. They claim the 76ers “misrepresented” the status of star center Joel Embiid’s injured knee in public statements recently.
Morey Says Embiid Won’t Play Back-to-Back Games, NBA Responds with Fine
The Athletic reported that the league had levied a $100,000 fine on the 76ers, who are off to a 1-2 start ahead of Wednesday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons at home.
The league claims that the 76ers “misrepresented” Embiid’s health status in an ESPN interview given by general manager Daryl Morey. His initial statement was that Embiid, as well as Paul George, wouldn’t play in back-to-back games at all this season. Keeping these players healthy for the playoffs is the priority for the 76ers, especially Embiid, who has battled injuries throughout his career. There should be NBA player props on when Embiid should play this season, as he has yet to see the court.
The NBA isn’t denying that Embiid has an injured left knee, and they agreed with the 76ers that Embiid didn’t suffer any setbacks this summer as he played with Team USA at the Olympics. The big man, if he were to play, would be a strong wager for an NBA first basket bet as the 76ers like to get Embiid early touches. However, his left knee is still weak, although Embiid is ramping up in practice.
But according to The Athletic report:
“More specifically, league sources say the messaging — that the playoffs were a major priority and the regular season was not — was a significant part of the decision to fine the Sixers as well.”
Why Does This Affect the NBA?
The league doesn’t want teams and players basically saying that the regular season isn’t relevant, at least in public. The NBA signed an 11-year deal with NBA, Amazon, and Disney that is worth almost $76 billion this summer. This deal is contingent on the players suiting up as much as possible, but there is a load-management movement recently as players try to stay healthy until the playoffs.
That’s fair, but the networks wouldn’t pay that much if they knew stars were going to sit out a slew of games. The league is also not debating that Embiid is hurt, but it’s the messaging on him not playing back-to-back games that got the 76ers fined.
It’s an intriguing balance that the league, players, and teams have to navigate. Teams and players want to be healthy for the playoffs. The league also wants them to play in nationally televised games, so they feel like they’re getting a good return on their investment. Don’t be surprise if this isn’t the last fine a team receives this season regarding a player’s health status.
