LeBron James Slams Media for Accusing 76ers Star Joel Embiid of Faking Injury That Turned Out To Be Real: ‘No Accountability’

Ahmad Austin Jr.Feb 2nd, 2024, 4:07 pm
 
Joel Embiid injures knee

D. Ross Cameron/AP

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James called out the media for running with the narrative that Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid faked an injury to avoid playing tough opponents.

Last Saturday, the 76ers took on the Denver Nuggets. The teams played one another 11 days earlier, and the matchup between Embiid and Nuggets star Nikola Jokic made it a highly-anticipated game. Unfortunately, that matchup didn’t happen as Embiid was a late scratch due to a knee injury. The injury has caused him to miss a handful of games this season.

Despite this, many in the media accused Embiid of “ducking” Jokic — or avoiding him out of a supposed fear of being outplayed. Although Embiid hasn’t played in Denver since 2019, he’s played against Jokic in Philadelphia multiple times and has played well.

The baseless narrative began on social media. Over time, however, it made its way to national sports talk shows.

On Tuesday, that narrative was proven far from accurate when the Sixers took on the Golden State Warriors. A visibly hobbled Embiid struggled throughout the night before injuring his knee once again and leaving the game. He’ll likely miss even more time.

James took to Twitter on Friday to call out the ones who parroted the theory.

“Where are all the media outlets, tv media personalities, hot takes that talked so much [shit] about Joel Embiid about missing those games when he knew what he was dealing with,” James said.

“Now he’s out with an injury because of it. Not 1 person has went back on tv or their dumbass podcast and apologized to that MAN!! No accountability.”

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