NBA probes why superstar missed season opener

The NBA is investigating why Philadelphia centre Joel Embiid did not play in the team's nationally televised season opener against Milwaukee.

The league confirmed the investigation.

It was opened as part of the NBA's player participation policy that went into effect last season.

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Such a move was to be expected. The NBA has said that any time a star player misses a game — it defines “star” as someone who was an All-Star or All-NBA selection in any of the previous three seasons, and Embiid is one of those — an investigation can be opened to “promote compliance” with league rules and can include “independent medical review and related determinations regarding player availability".

Embiid — who helped the US win Olympic gold at the Paris Games — missed the entire pre-season and was ruled out for Thursday's opener against Milwaukee with the 76ers citing “left knee injury management".

Embiid has a long history of injury issues, including knee problems.

Embiid has never played more than 68 games in a season and was limited to 39 last season in large part because of knee surgery.

It is not clear how long the investigation will take.

Philadelphia was also without Paul George for the game; he suffered a bone bruise during the pre-season.