Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone spoke after the game against the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA league.
Malone managed to lead his team to victory in a game that was marked by Joel Embiid’s absence, who for the fifth consecutive year missed the matchup in Colorado.
“I feel there was disappointment when we found out he wasn’t playing… I came out to the bench two minutes before the end of warm-ups, grabbing the guys and telling them – ‘no disappointment.’ Aaron Gordon was like ‘what are you talking about?’ I said, ‘Embiid is not playing.’ Our players didn’t know and were on the court warming up. We’re fortunate to leave here with a win,” emphasized Malone.
He then reflected again on the absence of the leading contender for the MVP award.
“I don’t know how you go from being active, available to not playing. I’m sure the league will do what it needs to do because it’s being ‘criticized,'” Malone stated clearly.