Joel Embiid defends himself against critics of his injuries: “I've done way too much for this damn city”

In his first public comments since the start of the 2024-25 regular season, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid addressed those who have questioned his absence from games this season due to what the team described as “left knee injury treatment.” called into question.

“When I see people say, 'He doesn't want to play,' … I've done way too much for this city and put myself at risk for people to say that. So I think it’s b——-,” Embiid said, citing a recent Philadelphia Inquirer column that urged fans to get a refund if Embiid doesn’t play.

“…I've done far too much for this damn city to be treated like this.”

Embiid cited instances in recent seasons in which he experienced pain despite the threat of re-injury, including multiple facial fractures, knee problems and broken fingers.

“I did it. From what I can tell you, I broke my face twice, came back early with the risk of losing my vision, had broken fingers (and still came back),” Embiid said.

“I wish I was as lucky as the others,” he later said. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not doing whatever it takes to get out there, and I will be doing that soon enough.”

Sixers center Joel Embiid wonders if there was a moment that made him call it quits after the Olympics. He also spoke about the criticism he received for not playing. pic.twitter.com/eGezZOVoQF

– Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) November 1, 2024

Embiid, 30, has missed 372 regular-season games, including four so far this season, and eight playoff games since the 76ers selected him No. 3 overall in 2014. Last season, Embiid missed 43 games with a torn meniscus in his left knee before returning just before the playoffs. He also played in the postseason with Bell's palsy, a condition that weakened the muscles on the left side of his face.

Although Embiid played for Team USA in the Olympics in August, he has yet to play this NBA season. While Embiid said that “everyone” was on board with the plan to rehab his left knee, coach Nick Nurse and Sixers leadership remained unclear about what exactly was happening with Embiid behind the scenes and why his return was so bad took a long time. The phrase “ramp-up” has been used frequently, but before Friday there was little clarity about how long that period lasts and where Embiid is in the process.

“I think mentally I just have to struggle with getting that confidence back,” Embiid told the media on Friday. “It used to be easy. But for some reason this is just about mentally trusting yourself and your body. And I think that’s really what I do.”

The NBA fined Philadelphia $100,000 on Tuesday for misrepresenting why Embiid wasn't playing in response to comments from Daryl Morey and Nurse, the president of basketball operations. This came after Embiid and free agent acquisition Paul George missed their season-opening game at home against the Milwaukee Bucks, which aired on ESPN.

The league's investigation concluded that the label of “left knee injury treatment” for Embiid's injury was accurate, no new injury had occurred and his knee was still unstable enough last week to warrant his absence. However, Morey's comments in an ESPN interview about Embiid's health being a top priority heading into the playoffs contributed to the fine, league sources said The athlete earlier this week.

On Friday, Embiid fully participated in a practice for the first time this season, which also included 5-on-5 scrimmage action. He was ruled out for Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies but is close to returning to action.

“I listen to them, they listen to me and (we) see how everything reacts,” Embiid said. “I'm feeling pretty good. There were ups and downs in the five-on-five and today it was a great session with the whole team.”

In eight NBA seasons, Embiid averaged 27.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 433 regular season games.

George, who missed all four regular-season games this season due to a preseason knee injury, also participated fully in Friday's practice but was ruled out of Saturday's competition.

The 76ers have started 1-3 without Embiid and George, although guard Tyrese Maxey has averaged 31.5 points in 42 minutes per game. Philadelphia's secondary has shot poorly, and the team is shooting just 27.7 percent from behind the arc heading into Saturday's game against Memphis.

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(Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)