76ers’ Joel Embiid denies tardiness report, questions why it happened: ‘It feels like I’m an easy target’

Following a preseason loss to the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid described the rejected report about LeBron James laying into the big man for showing up a couple minutes late to Sixers practice as “unfortunate,” according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

The one-time NBA MVP also questioned why it happened, pondering postgame Thursday night, per McMenamin: “It feels like I’m an easy target.”

Advertisement

The drama-stirring tale was recounted by longtime ESPN play-by-play announcer Mike Breen late in a preseason game between the New York Knicks and Sixers on Monday.

“Somebody told me before the game that they were out ready to practice, and Joel Embiid walked out on the court a couple of minutes late, and LeBron let him hear it,” Breen said on the MSG Networks broadcast in the fourth quarter of a 120-97 Philadelphia win.

Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Basketball league for the 2026-27 NBA season

James wrote in an Instagram story Tuesday that Embiid “ain’t been late so stop the lies.” Then Breen apologized.

Advertisement

“I don’t know why the person who told me the story would make it up, but if LeBron says it never happened, then I believe him and apologize for putting it out there,” said a regretful Breen, who explained to ESPN that the anecdote was provided to him by a trusted source.

Breen noted to ESPN that he was hoping to highlight James’ instant leadership in Philly, not Embiid’s alleged tardiness.

“It sucks, but what can you do? It’s unfortunate,” Embiid said after a 114-108 loss to the Nets, per McMenamin. “I don’t know where that came from. It never happened. … I think we just got to focus on ourselves. There’s going to be a lot of outside noise to pull us apart from what we’re supposed to be and what we’re supposed to accomplish.

Advertisement

“So, it’s important that we stay together and we keep our [head] down.”

This isn’t the first time Embiid’s punctuality has come into focus. About two years ago, amid the Sixers’ putrid start to the 2024-25 campaign, the seven-time All-Star was reportedly called out by Tyrese Maxey in a team meeting for being late “for everything.”

Additionally, because of…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/76ers-joel-embiid-denies-tardiness-report-questions-why-it-happened-it-feels-like-im-an-easy-target-191017824.html

Author : Andy Backstrom

Publish date : 2026-10-09 18:53:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.