Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse pushed back on a report that LeBron James confronted Joel Embiid after the center arrived late to a recent team practice.
The report surfaced during Philadelphia’s preseason game against the New York Knicks, when MSG Network broadcaster Mike Breen said he had been told that Embiid walked onto the court several minutes after the team was ready to practice and that James “let him hear it.”
James subsequently denied the story on Instagram, writing, “He ain’t been late so stop the lies,” alongside a cap emoji.
Nurse was asked about the report and expressed surprise that the story had emerged, particularly given Embiid’s recent work with the team.
“I’m just surprised by what I was told before, and what you guys are asking me about, because he’s been excellent,” Nurse said. “He’s in great shape. He’s been on the practice floor. He’s worked very hard, and he looks really great. So it just surprises me that something like that came out right now.”
The situation comes as Philadelphia enters the 2026-27 campaign with a significantly reshaped roster and championship expectations. The Sixers acquired Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics for Paul George and draft compensation before signing James to a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option for the second season.
The projected starting lineup features Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Brown, James and Embiid, giving Philadelphia five players capable of carrying significant offensive responsibility.
Philadelphia is coming off a 2025-26 season in which it was eliminated by the New York Knicks in the playoffs. The front office responded with one of the league’s most aggressive offseasons, replacing George with Brown and adding James while also bringing in players such as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons.
James and Embiid are not strangers to playing together. The two stars were teammates with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but this season marks their first opportunity to play alongside each other in the NBA.
