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Joel Embiid April Fools’ Joke Hits a Little Too Close to Home for Sixers Fans
By Sean Barnard
Published:
April 1st marks the annual occurrence of plenty of lame attempts at jokes from the most boring coworkers you know. A troll in his own right, Joel Embiid got in on the action today as well.
After being ruled out on the Sixers’ injury report due to illness ahead of tonight’s Sixers vs. Wizards matchup, the former MVP quote-tweeted SixersWire’s Ky Carlin to make the allegations that the injury report was an April Fool’s joke and sent social media into a stir.
Embiid first spoke about the illness following Monday’s loss to the Heat, where he looked the most lethargic he has since returning from the oblique issue. Daryl Morey and Nick Nurse each confirmed that Embiid had been ruled out ahead of the matchup after he did not attend the team’s film session this morning. He was also evaluated by a doctor due to the issue. Due to the NBA’s rules regarding injury reports, the Sixers likely would have been fined if Embiid were to suit up tonight after being ruled out, and the organization has received this punishment in the past. The Sixers star was quick to get one more jab in on social media as he got the stir he desired.
With seven games remaining in the regular season, the Sixers could use all the reps together they can get as they attempt to climb into a top-six seed and build continuity, given the lack of time together. Embiid is a massive part of this equation, but if there is one game for him to miss for the remainder of the year, it would be against the 17-58 Washington Wizards.
Embiid has suited up for 36 total games so far this season and is posting averages of 26.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists across these opportunities. He made his return from a 13-game absence due to an oblique strain on March 25th. The seven-time All-Star has been available for all three games since this point, averaging 30.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in these three matchups.
On one hand, it is nice to see Embiid having more fun this season than has been the case in a few years. He has always been one of the more expressive athletes in the city and around the NBA, who listed Joel “Troel” Embiid as his Twitter/X screen name for an extended stretch. This is the same guy who was shooting his shot at Rihanna and Kim Kardashian before he stepped foot on the floor and making fun of players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Hassan Whiteside once he stepped on it. Embiid is an athlete whom you can feel his energy when he is on the floor, and there does seem to be a correlation to when he is in good spirits and when he is playing his best.
On the other, this isn’t the best read of the room based on how patience has worn a bit thin surrounding his inconsistent availability these past few years. There is a larger portion of the fan base than ever who have not bought in on the current iteration of this team, despite some reasons for belief down the stretch.
Ultimately, this is a nothing-burger and just Troel Embiid being Troel Embiid. All hopes for this era of Sixers basketball have been dependent on the star being healthy ahead of the playoffs, and the organization will now be just six games away from accomplishing this. The Sixers are firmly in the hunt for a top-six playoff seed, as they are one game out of the sixth seed entering the matchup with the Wizards, and they will look to finish the season strong to build some momentum and pave the best possible postseason path.
Hopefully, this April Fool’s joke is the last time we are discussing Embiid’s lack of availability this season, although the pair of back-to-backs still remaining does not make this seem particularly likely.
Sean Barnard has covered the Philadelphia 76ers and general Philly Sports for over six years in a variety of roles and for multiple outlets. Currently works as a Content Writer for DraftKings Network, Sixers/NBA Insider for Philadelphia's Fox Sports the Gambler, and co-host of Sixers & Phillies Digest on Youtube. Forever Trusting the Process.