In a showdown between the Denver Nuggets and the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers, Nuggets fans stirred the atmosphere by chanting “Where’s Embiid at?” The home team secured a hard-fought 111-105 victory, led by Nikola Jokic, who accumulated 26 points and 16 rebounds.
The absence of Joel Embiid became a recurring theme in this matchup, marking the fourth consecutive season he missed the game against the Nuggets. Despite being a fellow MVP contender, Embiid sat out due to concerns about his balky left knee.
The anticipation for a marquee matchup between Jokic and Embiid was dashed as the Sixers decided to scratch Embiid just minutes before the tipoff.
The reigning MVP, who tweaked his left knee in the previous game against the Pacers, displayed discomfort during warmups, leading to the medical staff’s decision to keep him out.
Embiid’s absence wasn’t the only challenge for the Sixers, as key players like Tyrese Maxey (ankle), Tobias Harris (illness), and Mo Bamba (knee) were ruled out before the game, leaving Embiid, who is averaging 36 points and 11.4 rebounds per game, with limited support.
The Nuggets’ fans were left wondering when he would return to play in Denver, with his last appearance dating back to November 8, 2019.
Embiid’s history with the Nuggets’ home crowd includes being taunted with “Missing Person” posters in the stands during a previous absence. The crowd’s reaction was no different this time, as chants of “Where’s Embiid at?” echoed through the arena, creating a charged atmosphere.
