Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has fired back at critics questioning his commitment as he continues to sit out games due to ongoing concerns about his knee. The backlash came after a scathing column from Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who argued that the Sixers should offer refunds to fans for games Embiid missed.
Hayes went as far as to call Embiid “arguably the least-dependable superstar in the history of the game” and cast doubt on Embiid’s professionalism and commitment to the team.
The harsh critique didn’t sit well with Embiid, who made his feelings clear during a press conference on Friday. He unleashed a profane rant aimed not just at Hayes but also at anyone else doubting the legitimacy of his health concerns and his desire to be on the court.
“Everybody has been on the same page. If your body doesn’t react well and your body tells you one thing — I’ve done it,” Embiid told reporters. “From what I can tell you, I’ve broken my face twice. I came back early with the risk of losing my vision. I’ve had broken fingers. I still came back. So I’m not gonna sit here and let people say I don’t want to play. I’ve done way too much for this city and put myself at risk for people to be saying that, so I do think it’s bulls**t.”
Embiid didn’t stop there, making specific reference to Hayes. “That dude, Marcus, whatever his name is, he’s not even here,” Embiid said. “I’ve done way too much for this fing city to be treated like this. I’ve done way too fing much. Like I said, I wish I was as lucky as some other guys, but that doesn’t mean I’m not trying. I’m doing whatever it takes to be out there, and I’ll be back soon.”
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Embiid has yet to play this season, with the Sixers officially citing “left knee injury management” as the reason for his absence.
The decision has fueled speculation among some fans and analysts that Embiid may be healthy enough to play but is choosing to sit out early-season games. A recent report pushed back against those claims, and an NBA investigation confirmed that Embiid is indeed dealing with a legitimate injury.
The uncertainty surrounding Embiid’s health has become a point of frustration for Sixers fans. Many still remember the toll injuries took on the All-Star during previous seasons, and seeing him sidelined again has led to understandable concerns.
Additionally, Embiid’s comments before the season about potentially never playing back-to-back games again only added fuel to the fire.
The Sixers organization has been clear that they are prioritizing Embiid’s health for the long haul, aiming to have him in peak condition when it matters most—the postseason.
It’s a strategy that makes sense given Embiid’s track record of injuries, but it’s also one that risks alienating fans who expect their superstar to be available as much as possible, especially after investing in tickets. So far, Embiid’s absence, paired with the shaky start to the season, hasn’t done much to inspire confidence.
Embiid’s passionate response, however, makes one thing clear—he feels deeply about his commitment to the Sixers and the sacrifices he’s made.
The perception that he’s not willing to do whatever it takes to be on the floor clearly struck a nerve, and he’s not shying away from pushing back against that narrative.
Whether that will be enough to win back some of his doubters remains to be seen, but Embiid is clearly determined to prove he’s doing everything in his power to help the team.
