LeBron James addressed a report during the broadcast of the preseason game between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, which claimed that he admonished Joel Embiid for being late to a recent practice. During the broadcast on MSG Network, commentator Mike Breen shared a story about an encounter where James reportedly expressed his displeasure over Embiid's tardiness. Breen stated, "I had somebody tell me before the game that they were out ready to practice, and Joel Embiid walked out onto the court a couple of minutes late, and LeBron let him hear it."
In response, James denied the report via a post on his Instagram Story, sharing a graphic related to the incident and using a cap emoji, which typically signifies that something is not true. He wrote, "He ain’t been late so stop the lies."
No additional details regarding the alleged incident were provided. James is currently in his first season with the 76ers after signing with the team this offseason. He and Embiid have previously played together as part of Team USA at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris but have not played on the same NBA team until now.
Additionally, James has been in the news for his mode of transportation to practices, utilizing a helicopter provided by Fanatics. A spokesperson for James stated, "The deal we signed with Fanatics almost three years ago includes access to their corporate aviation. It’s a feature in many of their deals with their largest athletes, and we appreciate their partnership as LeBron splits his time between New York and Philadelphia."