The Philadelphia 76ers have had an up-and-down season so far in 2025. The team started off the season hot, winning four of the first five games. However, like last season, injuries have plagued the team again this year.

Joel Embiid has dealt with multiple injuries over the last year. Ahead of the team’s game last Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks, Embiid was again ruled out with a knee injury. Then, Embiid was suddenly upgraded to questionable and ended up playing 30 minutes in the contest. Now, the NBA is punishing the 76ers for violating the league’s injury reporting rules.

76ers Receive $100,000 Fine for Joel Embiid Decision

Going into last Sunday, Embiid had missed nine games in a row thanks to a knee injury. It wasn’t shocking to hear that Embiid was out again, but it was shocking when the star center shockingly played after that designation.

Now, the 76ers will have to pay a $100,000 fine for violating the league’s injury reporting rules. Once a player is listed on the report as being out of a game, the team is expected to follow through on that claim per league rules. The league also considers a team’s history of similar violations when determining punishment for such a policy breach.

The Sixers have a history of these violations, so it’s not surprising to see the hefty fine. Late in the 2023-24 season, the Sixers were fined $100k for another violation that also involved Embiid’s status.

Then, the team was fined another $100k in October of 2024 for public statements made regarding Embiid’s health.

Embiid’s health has long been a point of frustration for the Sixers. The big man has not played in more than 39 regular-season games since the 2022-23 campaign. In nine completed seasons, Embiid has only played in 60 or more regular season games four times.

The Sixers Need a Healthy Embiid

When healthy, Embiid has been one of the best players in the league. The Kansas product is a former league MVP, a seven-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA, a three-time All-Defensive team selection, and a two-time scoring champion despite his career-long injury issues.

As of Wednesday, the Sixers have an 11-9 record and are sitting in 4th in the Atlantic Division. The team is being kept afloat by Tyrese Maxey, who is averaging 32.5 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds.

Without Embiid, the Sixers have turned to veteran journeyman Andre Drummond to start at the five. Drummond has fared okay so far, averaging 8.1 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

The next game for the Sixers is on Thursday night against the Golden State Warriors.