Joel Embiid Denies Report of LeBron James Confronting Him Over Late Arrival at Practice

Posted : 09 October 2026

Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid has dismissed reports claiming that new teammate LeBron James confronted him for arriving late to a team practice, describing the story as false and questioning why he became the subject of public scrutiny.

Speaking after Philadelphia’s 114-108 preseason defeat to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, Embiid said the alleged incident never occurred. He expressed frustration over the speculation and urged his teammates to remain focused on their objectives rather than allowing outside commentary to create divisions within the squad.

Embiid stressed that maintaining team unity would be essential as the 76ers prepare for the new NBA season. He acknowledged that rumours and media attention would continue to surround the team but insisted that the players must stay committed to their collective goals.

The controversy began during Philadelphia’s 120-97 preseason victory over the New York Knicks on Monday, when veteran basketball commentator Mike Breen shared an account suggesting that James had reprimanded Embiid for arriving a few minutes late to practice.

According to Breen, he had been told that the players were already on the court when Embiid arrived, prompting James to address the situation. The comments quickly attracted attention, particularly given the expectations surrounding Philadelphia’s star-studded roster.

James subsequently rejected the allegation in a post on his Instagram account on Tuesday, insisting that Embiid had not been late and describing the report as a lie. Breen later apologised for the controversy, explaining that his intention had been to highlight James’ leadership and the importance of accountability within the team rather than criticise Embiid.

Embiid said he was particularly puzzled by the attention surrounding the story, maintaining that the alleged confrontation had never happened. He added that he sometimes felt like an easy target for speculation but remained confident that the team could overcome such distractions by staying united.

Joel Embiid Struggles in Preseason Return Against Brooklyn Nets

Away from the controversy, Embiid endured a difficult outing in his preseason debut against the Brooklyn Nets. The 76ers centre finished with eight points, three rebounds and three assists, while recording eight turnovers in 24 minutes of action.

He made just one of his five field-goal attempts as Philadelphia fell short against Brooklyn in a 114-108 defeat. Despite the disappointing performance, Embiid pointed out that it was his first preseason appearance and acknowledged that he needed to improve his ball handling and decision-making.

The centre expressed confidence that his performance would improve as he gains more playing time, noting that it usually takes him a few games to find his rhythm at the beginning of a season. He admitted that protecting possession would be a priority moving forward.

With the new NBA campaign approaching, Philadelphia will be keen to build chemistry among its key players and establish consistency on the court. Embiid’s comments underline the importance of keeping the focus on basketball as the team navigates heightened expectations and increased media attention.

Joel Embiid Denies Report of LeBron James Confronting Him Over Late Arrival at Practice

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