LeBron James has denied reports that he called out Joel Embiid for being late to practice as the Philadelphia 76ers ramp up their preseason preparations. The claim first surfaced during Monday’s preseason game against the New York Knicks, when longtime MSG Network commentator Mike Breen said he heard Embiid arrived a few minutes late to practice and that James “let him hear it.”
“They are, they’re raving about how he’s been so far. Obviously, it’s only a week of camp. But I had somebody tell me before the game that they were out ready to practice and Joel Embiid walked out on the court a couple minutes late. LeBron let him hear it,” Breen said on air.
The report quickly drew attention from media outlets and fans, but James took to Instagram to set the record straight. “! He ain’t been late so stop the lies,” James posted in his Instagram stories, directly disputing the suggestion he reprimanded Embiid for tardiness.
Embiid’s history of lateness is well documented. In 2024, ESPN reported that Tyrese Maxey, Embiid’s teammate, publicly called him out in a team meeting for being late “for everything.” That tardiness reportedly caused tension within the locker room, with a source telling ESPN, “Tyrese loves Big Fella, but this is the elephant in the room.”
This offseason brought a new dynamic to the 76ers roster as LeBron James joined Embiid for the first time. James signed a two-year, $8 million contract with Philadelphia and is expected to share the court alongside Embiid, Maxey, and Jaylen Brown. The team is viewed as one of the favorites to contend for the NBA championship this season.
James did not play in Monday’s preseason game against the Knicks. Reports say he is managing health issues, leading the 76ers to hold him out of the exhibition. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin detailed James’ current routine, explaining that the 41-year-old begins his days at the team’s training complex around 7:45 a.m., where his longtime athletic trainer, Mike Mancias, guides him through stretching, activation, and treatment before James can take the floor.
Given James is entering his 24th NBA season, Philadelphia is taking a cautious approach with his workload. Last season, James missed the first month due to sciatica, and current reports indicate he is dealing with chronic arthritis and ongoing sciatica issues as camp begins.
While Embiid’s punctuality remains a topic of conversation, the latest claim that James confronted him over being late has been publicly dismissed by James himself. The 76ers continue to prepare for their regular season with both stars expected to play prominent roles together.
According to Yahoo Sports.