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Philadelphia 76ers fans are left in suspense as the team grapples with the continued absence of star players Joel Embiid and Paul George, both sidelined by knee injuries. On Tuesday afternoon, the NBA fined the Sixers $100,000 for public statements about Embiid’s health, following an investigation into his exclusion from the season-opener earlier this month.

Joel Embiid is currently sidelined due to left knee management. Despite participating in parts of practice on Tuesday, the team's head coach, Nick Nurse, has ruled him and Paul George out for Wednesday's game against the Detroit Pistons at the Wells Fargo Center. George, who joined the 76ers this offseason on a four-year, $212 million deal, is recovering from a bone bruise in his knee. His timeline for return remains equally vague.

Nick Nurse has largely refrained from discussing the specifics of their injuries. When questioned about their return, he emphasized his focus on the team’s immediate performance. "We want these guys to play and we want them to be healthy and we want them to play great," Nurse remarked. "My main focus is, I've got to do the job that I've got to do ... and that takes a big chunk of my focus."

Embiid’s latest struggle with knee issues comes after a tumultuous last season, where he managed only 39 games. Notably, he played through knee pain in the playoffs and was an integral part of Team USA's gold medal run at the Paris Olympics this summer. The 76ers center reportedly lost over 25 pounds during the offseason to alleviate knee strain, though the specific nature of his current setback remains unclear.

The NBA’s investigation confirmed that Embiid was rightfully absent from the season-opener, but it also found that the team had made inconsistent statements regarding his condition, leading to the hefty fine. Meanwhile, George's bone bruise, incurred during a preseason game, adds another layer of uncertainty for the team's aspirations.

With a current record of 1-2, the 76ers now face crucial games against the Pistons and the Memphis Grizzlies before embarking on a challenging three-game road trip on the west coast. The team's performance without their key stars will be closely monitored as fans and analysts alike remain eager for updates on Embiid and George's health.