NBA Rumors: Joel Embiid Challenges 76ers' Injury Reports, Eyes 'Level of Control'

Joel Embiid has taken issue with his injury designation on the Philadelphia 76ers' injury reports throughout his tenure with the organization, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.

"Embiid has notoriously posed challenges to the Sixers' medical updates, leading to numerous organizational fines, while the center prefers some level of control over what injury he's listed for and how he's listed with it, sources say," Fischer wrote on Thursday.

The star center's presence behind the scenes in Philadelphia has generated buzz recently, especially after point guard Tyrese Maxey called out Embiid regarding being late "for everything" during a team meeting on Monday night (via ESPN's Shams Charania).

Embiid missed the start of the 2024-25 season with a "left knee injury management" designation, as he underwent meniscus surgery on Feb. 6.

The NBA fined the 76ers $100,000 for comments that head coach Nick Nurse and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey made regarding the health status of the former MVP, as they made "public statements" that were "inconsistent" with Embiid's health status.

He's been able to suit up in each of Philadelphia's past three contests, but he's still been present on the team's injury report with an illness.

While Embiid's exact influence on the 76ers' injury reports is unknown, it's worth noting that the team was also fined $100,000 in April for failing to "accurately disclose the game availability status" of the center.

In the announcement of the fine, the NBA explained that "the fine takes into account the 76ers' prior history of fines for violating injury reporting rules."

Embiid has made four appearances this season, and the results are far from encouraging. He's averaged just 19.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 37.9 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from three.

Philadelphia owns a mere 2-12 record to open the regular season, the worst mark in the Eastern Conference.