The NBA is reportedly investigating Joel Embiid's absence early in the season

“Management of Left Knee Injuries.”

This is the official, listed reason why Joel Embiid sat out the entire Philadelphia 76ers preseason will not play Wednesday night when the Sixers' season officially begins against Milwaukee in a nationally televised game (he's also out for two more games this weekend).

Does the 76ers' argument violate the league's player participation policy? The NBA will investigate reports ESPN's Shams Charania.

That's a lot of noise and fury that means nothing — as long as Embiid is legitimately hurt.

It's not hard to imagine. Philadelphia announced that Embiid would miss the first week of the season as he continued to deal with left knee soreness, something that has plagued him (and played through) since his meniscus surgery in his left knee last February. He returned for the playoffs, but was significantly slowed by knee pain – even though he averaged 33 and 10 – and that continued into the Paris Olympics. He was not cleared for 5-on-5 fights, said coach Nick Nurse.

Under the league's player participation policy – which aims to ensure that star players do not sit out nationally televised games – Embiid would be required to play against Milwaukee unless the “team demonstrates a recognized reason for a star player not to participate in a game.” . Injury is an accepted reason. The 76ers medical team should have no problem meeting that threshold.

The word “management” is probably what started the debate – it implies that Embiid could play, but the team is playing it safe. 76ers GM Daryl Morey has admitted the team will play it safe Both Embiid and Paul George are missing most, if not all, of the team's consecutive games this season, but Philly isn't playing in consecutive games and Embiid is missing multiple games, not just this one.

Embiid, George and Tyrese Maxey have yet to appear on the court together in the preseason. While the 76ers are a legitimate threat to Boston at the top of the East on paper, the big three would need to be healthy and have developed real chemistry on the court – something Boston showed it was overflowing with on opening night.

Here's what 76ers fans have to worry about more than a league investigation: Can this team stay healthy enough to come close to reaching its potential?