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

The league confirmed the investigation on Thursday. It opened under the NBA's player participation policy, which went into effect last season.

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 them – an investigation may be opened to “promote compliance” with league rules and may include “independent medical examinations and related player availability determinations.”

Embiid – who helped the US win Olympic gold at the Paris Games – missed the entire preseason and was out for Wednesday's opening game against Milwaukee with the 76ers citing “left knee injury management.” Embiid has a long history of injury problems, including knee problems.

Embiid has never played more than 68 games in a season and was only able to play in 39 last season largely due to knee surgery.

How long the investigation will take is unclear. Philadelphia was also without Paul George for Wednesday's game; He suffered a bone bruise during pre-season training.

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