By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Philadelphia 76ers may have secured one of their most complete victories of the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, but the post-game atmosphere following the win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday was overshadowed by friction rather than celebration.
After helping the Sixers improve to a 43-34 record, Joel Embiid voiced significant frustration toward the organization and the president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, regarding his forced absence from a midweek contest against the Washington Wizards. Despite being cleared to play following a bout with illness that hampered him during a previous loss to the Miami Heat, Embiid was ruled out for Wednesday’s game at Capital One Arena, a decision he claims was made entirely over his head.
The Most Valuable Player of the 2022-23 season did not mince words when discussing the disconnect between his personal desire to compete and the team’s medical management.
“I was pissed off,” the 32-year-old center mentioned in a postgame media session following a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double opposite the Wolves. “I wanted to play basketball. I wasn’t allowed to play basketball. So, I think this is more of a question for Daryl Morey and whoever makes the decisions.”
While admitting he felt ‘pretty sick’ during Monday’s loss in Miami, he felt definitely ‘much better’ heading into Washington and was blindsided by the team’s mandate to sit. “That kind of caught me off guard. That pissed me off,” he added. “But then again, I guess they make the decisions. So, it doesn’t matter what I think or not. I just got to follow.”
This internal rift draws immediate comparisons to the public dispute between Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks regarding superstar availability down the stretch of the season.