This probe, initiated on Thursday as reported by CBS Sports, is part of the league's routine practice when a star player misses a high-profile game without a clear injury.

Embiid, along with teammate Paul George, missed the Wednesday night game, which saw the Sixers face off against fellow Eastern Conference contenders. Philly, without its key players, suffered a 124-109 loss. Embiid's no-show raised eyebrows especially considering his recent comments about possibly not participating in back-to-backs this season.

This kind of investigation is not unusual and is expected any time a star player’s absence raises questions. Across the league and within the Sixers organization, the NBA's decision to probe Embiid's status was met with a sense of inevitability rather than surprise. This routine scrutiny is a part of ensuring compliance with the league's participation policies.

Sources close to the situation noted that before the game had even started, discussions were already taking place about the likelihood of an investigation. It was clear that the NBA would step in to inquire about Embiid’s health status and his plans for the season to ensure there was no breach of policy.

The investigation seeks to determine whether Embiid, who has battled injuries throughout his career, genuinely needed to sit out or if this aligns with his strategy to manage playing time this season. The league, under Commissioner Adam Silver, has been vigilant about players fulfilling a minimum threshold of 65 games to be eligible for NBA awards, emphasizing the importance of star players participating in as many games as possible.

With the new normal of the NBA's stringent checks, reactions to such investigations are increasingly becoming tempered. Should the investigation conclude that everything was above board, the Sixers and Embiid may face no repercussions. If otherwise, fines could be imposed. For now, the NBA and fans alike await clarity on Embiid’s health and his availability moving forward in the season.