When healthy, Joel Embiid is one of the most unique and dominant talents in NBA history. 

The former MVP has displayed his massive impact on both sides of the floor for the 76ers over the years. But, especially when the playoffs come around, Embiid has had to play through injuries.

While Embiid played for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics, he hasn’t yet suited up for the 76ers in the 2024-25 NBA season due to left knee injury management. The 76ers made it clear before the season that Embiid’s health will be a major priority this year, even if that means resting the star in back-to-backs.

Embiid has drawn plenty of criticism from media and fans about his injury management in the past, and he’s also been the main subject of resting debates in recent weeks. On Friday, Embiid voiced his anger about how his injury recovery has been covered by the media, specifically in one story from The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Here’s what Embiid had to say about the media coverage of his injuries in a NSFW response to a question while meeting with reporters.

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What did Joel Embiid say?

As Embiid has been recovering from a knee injury to begin the 2024-25 season, Marcus Hayes, a columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, wrote an opinion piece that was headlined, “Joel Embiid disrespects the Sixers, the game, its greats, and himself. Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley are right to rip him.”

In the story, Hayes refers to Embiid’s son, Arthur, while discussing how the star center doesn’t “show up for work almost half the time.” 

I can’t believe this was posted.

Disgusting. https://t.co/x7fnY4BTAj pic.twitter.com/dD0aAPy4lA

— Justin Bradley (@JustinJBradley) October 23, 2024

Embiid hasn’t met with the media often recently as he’s dealt with his injury, but on Friday, he was asked about his recovery and missing the beginning of the NBA season after he played in the Olympics over the summer.

In his answer, Embiid directly called out Hayes’ story, saying he’s “done way too much for this city” for people to be saying that he doesn’t want to play. 

“I’ve broken my face twice,” Embiid said. “I came back early with the risk of losing my vision. I’ve had broken fingers. I still came back. I’m not going to sit here and be like — when I see people saying, ‘He doesn’t want to play.’ I’ve done way too much for this city and putting myself at risk for people to be saying that.

“I do think it’s bull—. Like that dude, he’s not here, Marcus, whatever his name is. I’ve done way too much for this f—ing city to be treated like this. Way to f—ing much.

“Like I said, I wish I was as lucky as other ones, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not trying to do whatever it takes to be out there, which I’m going to be, here, pretty soon.”

Another one of Philadelphia’s stars, Paul George, also hasn’t seen the court yet this season due to an injury. However, both were reportedly full participants in Friday’s practice, so the 76ers could be back a full health soon. 

MORE: Knee injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Paul George

What is Joel Embiid’s injury?

Embiid has been out with what the 76ers have called “left knee injury management.” He tore the meniscus in that knee last January, missing a few months of the regular season before returning to face the Knicks in the playoffs.

The 76ers star will not play on Saturday against the Grizzlies, and he said Friday that one of the biggest hurdles in his return is being able to mentally push past the knee injury.

He could be back in action again soon, which would be a big boost for a Philadelphia team that’s gotten off to a 1-3 start to the 2024-25 season.