Joel Embiid lashes out at Philadelphia media: 'Done way too much for this f***ing city'

Philadelphia 76ers (1-3) center Joel Embiid pushed back on claims that he doesn’t want to play amid his left knee ailment, saying “I’ve done way too much for this f***ing city to be treated like this.”

Sixers center Joel Embiid on if there was a moment that led to his deciding to shut things down after the Olympic. He also talked the about the criticism he’s received over not play. pic.twitter.com/eGezZOVoQF

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) November 1, 2024

“Everybody’s been on the same page,” Embiid said Friday, via Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “If the body doesn’t react well, and if your body tells you one thing — I’ve done it. From what I can tell you, I’ve broken my face twice, I came back early with the wrist, losing my vision, I’ve broken fingers, and I still came back. … When I see people saying, ‘He doesn’t wanna play,’ I’ve done way too much for this city and putting myself at risk for people to be saying that.

“I do think it’s bullshit. I’ve done way too much for this f***ing city to be treated like this. Done way too f***ing much. Like I said, I wish I was as lucky as the other ones, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not trying and doing whatever it takes to be out there, which I’m gonna be here pretty soon.”

Joel Embiid getting close to making 2024-25 debut with 76ers

Embiid, the 2022-23 NBA MVP, has been sidelined for the first four games of the season with what the team has called left knee management. The NBA fined the 76ers $100,000 Tuesday after determining president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and head coach Nick Nurse were “inconsistent with Joel Embiid’s health status and in violation of NBA rules.”

“The NBA said it has confirmed that Embiid has been unable to play so far this season because of a left knee condition,” Shams Charania of ESPN reported Thursday.

The 30-year-old has completed multiple 5-on-5 scrimmages this week as he inches towards making his season debut. Philadelphia hosts the Memphis Grizzlies (3-3) Saturday before heading out west for a three-game road trip next week.

Embiid has missed time over the duration of his 10-year career with numerous injuries, including both the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons with a foot injury. He missed time last season after undergoing surgery to for a lateral meniscus injury in his left knee. Held to just 39 games, Embiid posted a career high 34.7 points per game, to go along with 11.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. He was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy in the First Round playoff matchup against the New York Knicks (2-2) but played in every game during the six-game series.

In addition to Embiid, the 76ers have yet to see Paul George make his season debut. George, who signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the team this offseason, is out with a bone bruise in his left knee.