LeBron James-Joel Embiid Rumor Addressed by 76ers' Nick Nurse After Viral Video

After a viral rumor surfaced regarding Philadelphia 76ers star forward LeBron James calling out star center Joel Embiid for being late to practice, head coach Nick Nurse clarified the situation.

While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Nurse made it clear that Embiid has been a consummate professional throughout the preseason so far.

"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 of Embiid. "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."

During Monday's preseason matchup between the Sixers and the New York Knicks, NBA broadcaster Mike Breen said that "somebody" told him about the encounter between James and Embiid before the game.

"They were out ready to practice, Joel Embiid walked out on the court a couple of minutes late and LeBron let him hear it," Breen reported.

While many viewed the report as a positive sign that Philadelphia was embracing James as a leader, the 41-year-old took to social media to dismiss the report as a lie, asserting that Embiid hasn't been late to practice.

Embiid's health has long been one of the biggest questions in his career. The 2023 NBA MVP has played in fewer than 40 games in each of the last three seasons.

Still, Nurse expressed optimism at the start of training camp after Embiid was a full participant in the team's first practice. Nurse told reporters that the big man "looked great" and put in the work over the summer to get into great physical shape.

It sounds like the Sixers are maintaining their confidence that Embiid is bringing the right mindset into the 2026-27 season as he chases the playoff success that has eluded him so far in his career.