Joel Embiid stated that reports of LeBron James criticizing him for being late to practice 'never happened.' ESPN broadcaster Mike Breen has apologized for sharing the unverified anecdote.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has firmly denied a recent report claiming that teammate LeBron James admonished him for arriving late to practice. Speaking to reporters, Embiid described the incident as something that "never happened" and expressed frustration that he was the subject of the story, questioning why he was targeted in such a narrative.
The controversy originated during a Monday preseason game between the Sixers and the New York Knicks, when ESPN broadcaster Mike Breen shared an anecdote on air. Breen stated that a source told him Embiid walked onto the court a few minutes after practice had already begun, prompting James to "let him hear it." Breen claimed he heard the story from "someone I trust" and initially framed it as a display of James' leadership in Philadelphia.
However, James quickly refuted the claim on his Instagram account, stating, "He ain’t been late so stop the lies." Following the player's denial, Breen issued a public apology, acknowledging that he should have realized the significance of naming Embiid specifically. "In hindsight, I should have realized the fact that it was Joel is what made it a story," Breen said, adding that he feels "awful" for putting the focus on the 76ers star.
According to Hoops Rumors, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse also addressed the situation, noting that he was not aware of the alleged incident until after Wednesday's practice. Nurse defended Embiid's work ethic, stating that the center has been "excellent" and in "great shape" since training camp began. "It just surprises me that something like that came out right now," Nurse said, emphasizing that Embiid has been on the practice floor and working hard.
The incident occurred as the Sixers prepare for the upcoming regular season. According to recent reports, James, Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey all sat out Monday's preseason contest, though Nurse intends to use his regular-season rotation in the team's remaining preseason games. The team is also managing roster changes, including the season-ending Achilles tear suffered by Ariel Hukporti, though Nurse indicated no immediate plans to sign another center.
Despite the off-court noise, the team has shown flashes of potential. In a recent preseason matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, James was described as "sensational," while Embiid appeared somewhat rusty but provided a glimpse of the team's capabilities. The Sixers continue to navigate the early stages of the season, with the front office and coaching staff focused on stabilizing the narrative around their star players.