LeBron James disputes story about confronting Joel Embiid at Sixers practice

LeBron James and Joel Embiid have barely begun their first season as Sixers teammates, and already there’s a story about one getting on the other at practice.

James says it didn’t happen.

During Monday’s Knicks-Sixers preseason broadcast, MSG Network’s Mike Breen relayed something he said he had heard before the game.

“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,” Breen said.

James responded on Instagram with a cap emoji and a direct denial: “He ain’t been late so stop the lies.” Christian Arnold of the New York Post reported the exchange.

So we have a story relayed to Breen by an unnamed person, and James saying the premise is false. No other details about the alleged practice exchange have emerged.

James and Embiid played together for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics, but this is their first season as NBA teammates. There will be plenty to learn about how they work together in Philadelphia. Judging from James’ response, he’d prefer that process begin with things that actually happened.