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.”
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.
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James wrote in an Instagram story Tuesday that Embiid “ain’t been late so stop the lies.” Then Breen apologized.
“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.
Joel Embiid on the recent report about LeBron James getting on him for being late: “I don’t know where that came from. It never happened. … One, it’s not true. And then again it’s like, ‘Why me?’ But I guess I’m Joel Embiid, I’ve been in this situation.”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 9, 2026
“It sucks, but what can you do? It’s unfortunate,” Embiid said after a 114-108 defeat 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.
“So, it’s important that we stay together and we keep our [head] down.”
Bron ➡️ Joel ➡️ JB pic.twitter.com/YXqZ8dh6gf
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 8, 2026
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 Embiid’s extensive injury history, his physical preparation, conditioning and body care have been doubted over the years.
He’s had to deal with rumors and stories like the one Breen shared on-air.
“Those type of things, I can’t understand,” Embiid said on Thursday night, according to McMenamin. “One, it is not true, but then again, it’s like, ‘Why me?’ … I guess I’m Joel Embiid. I’ve been in that situation. I don’t usually talk when it comes to those [rumors]. So, it feels like I’m an easy target.
“But yeah, as long as we know who we are, [we will be OK], and we just got to stick together.”
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Embiid had a rough outing against the Nets. He scored only six points on 1-of-5 shooting and committed a ghastly eight turnovers.
He finished with the fewest points of the Sixers’ newly minted starting five that includes James, who took on the facilitator role with 10 points and five assists.
Last month, while explaining why he signed with Philadelphia in free agency, James cited wanting to help Embiid finally win an NBA championship as one of the reasons.
“He’s done everything in our league,” James said of Embiid on a Sept. 25 episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast. “The only thing he has not done [is] win a championship. And I want to try to help him get that first one.
“He’s been MVP of our league, has a gold medal, All-Stars, signature shoes, bunch of money, beautiful fam. He has everything. He has a city on his back. He’s been ‘The Process’ for, what, 10 years, 12 years, however long he’s been there. But I mean, I think it’s time now that we dig even deeper into the process, and I hope that I can be that final little piece that can help him get over the hump and have him maybe see it a little bit differently than he’s seen it in his career, as far as the day-to-day process, the day-to-day what it takes to get there.”