Sixers slammed with hefty fine after Joel Embiid’s return in Game 3; now listed as ‘questionable’
After Philadelphia changed Joel Embiid’s injury status from out to doubtful to active in Game 3 against the Heat, the NBA heavily fined the Sixers. Embiid is back to being ‘questionable’'.
Following the 76ers’ Game 2 loss against the Miami Heat on the road, Philadelphia was doubtful whether Joel Embiid was going to make it to Game 3 on Friday.
Embiid ws not only in the NBA’s concussion protocol at the time, but he was also suffering a torn ligament in his thumb and an orbital fracture that kept him listed as ‘out’ on Thursday’s injury report.
According to Sixers head coach Doc Rivers, the 28-year-old had yet to be cleared.
Embiid: from out to doubtful to active
On Friday morning however, Philadelphia changed Embiid’s status suddenly, clearing him out of the concussion protocol and allowing him to participate in Friday’s shootaround session as ‘doubtful’.
And while his status went quickly from ‘out’ to ‘doubtful’, Embiid’s actual status created confusion in the league and was even more puzzling when he was listed as ‘active’ in Game 3 all of a sudden.
NBA fines Sixers after Joel Embiid’s change of status
As a result, the NBA fined Philadelphia $50,000 for violating the league’s injury reporting rules.
Embiid is ‘questionable’ for Game 4 vs the Heat
To top it all off, Embiid has been listed as questionable for Game 4 vs the Heat on Sunday night as he’s still dealing with the after effects of his thumb and eye injury.