Joel Embiid is making it crystal clear he wants no part of the New York Knicks’ championship celebration, straight up telling reporters he’ll be hanging out in the locker room during their opening night ring ceremony. This isn’t just a minor snub, it’s a direct shot fired before the ball even tips, setting a seriously spicy tone for the whole season.
The Ultimate Shade on Opening Night
Forget the traditional sportsmanship of watching your rivals bask in glory, because Embiid is having none of it. The Knicks, after a whopping 53-year wait, finally got their championship. New York City is gonna be absolutely buzzing as their stars grab their rings and that banner goes up to the rafters. But Embiid? When asked about facing the Knicks on opening night, he replied, “I don’t really feel like watching the whole ceremony, so I guess I’ll be in the locker room.” That’s a statement, plain and simple. He’s not just disengaging; he’s drawing a line in the sand, loud and clear.
Was It the Sweep? Definitely the Sweep.
You gotta figure Embiid’s disinterest, or outright defiance, stems from the pain the Knicks inflicted on the 76ers during their championship run. New York knocked Philly out of the playoffs, sweeping them on the way to the Conference Finals. Embiid played in three of those games, but the Knicks absolutely clamped him down, keeping him quiet. He only shot well in one matchup, Game 4, and even that ended in a brutal 144-114 shellacking for the New Yorkers. After sweeping Philly, the Knicks went on to sweep the Cavaliers, then took down the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 for the Larry O’Brien trophy. You think Embiid forgot that? No way. He’s already showing he’s ready for what’s ahead, dropping 27 points in just 29 minutes against the Boston Celtics in preseason. This opening night clash against the Knicks isn’t just a game; it’s a chance for Embiid to lay down his own marker.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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