Sixers’ Joel Embiid frustrated after being held out earlier this week

Sixers center Joel Embiid returned to action Friday after missing Wednesday’s game due to illness, finishing with 19 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in a win over Minnesota.

After the game, Embiid addressed his absence earlier in the week, when he expressed surprise on social media about being ruled out.

“I was pissed off,” Embiid said, via PHLY Sports. “I wanted to play basketball. I wasn’t allowed to play basketball. So I think this is more of a question for (president of basketball operations) Daryl Morey and whoever makes the decisions.”

Embiid said he had been “pretty sick” earlier in the week but still hoped to play. He added that he felt somewhat better prior to Wednesday’s game, though he was unable to attend shootaround.

“Then after that, I found out online that I wasn’t playing that night,” Embiid said. “So yeah, that kind of caught me off guard… But then again, I guess they make the decisions, so it doesn’t matter what I think or not.”

According to Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice, the situation marked a rare instance of a disconnect between Embiid and the team regarding his availability.