Joel Embiid Facing Backlash For 'Loser' Behavior After Game 3 Loss

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid may want to stay off social media after Friday night's loss to the New York Knicks.

Despite jumping out to a hot start against the Knicks, the 76ers were simply unable to slow down Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges. They combined for 56 points to give the Knicks a commanding 3-0 series lead.

During Friday night's postgame media availability, Embiid brought up how New York attempted 16 more free throws than Philadelphia. He suggested the referees wanted to help out the Knicks.

"They shot 32 free throws, we had 16. We're not a team that shoots a lot of threes. We attack, put the ball on the ground. I don't know," Embiid said. "I guess it's good when New York wins, so we've just got to have that mentality of just not fouling, I guess, and being smart enough to not put ourselves in a position where they're going to take advantage of it."

Unsurprisingly, NBA fans ripped Embiid for his comments about the refs.

"Whoever said that teams take on the personality of their best player was spot on. But in this case it's the whole city," a Knicks fan replied. "Nothing but losers."

"Eight of them were intentional fouls on Mitch Robinson that the Sixers used as strategy," a second fan wrote.

"Spends more time foul hunting than playing actual basketball, then complains when the refs don't fall for every single bait," another fan commented. "I don't understand how Sixer fans deal with this loser mentality."

"Not even trolling, this dude is a cancer to NBA basketball in his current state. The physical wear and tear is one thing, but his mentality is actually pathetic," another fan said.

Knicks are poised to snap their NBA Finals drought.

Although the Knicks have a bit more work to do in order to make the NBA Finals, there's no denying that Mike Brown's squad has looked unbeatable at times over the past two weeks.

We've seen the Knicks dismantle the Hawks by 51 points in an elimination game, take down the 76ers in Game 1 by 39 points, and then follow that performance up a few days later with a 14-point win on the road.

There's no question the Knicks should be favored to win the Eastern Conference and get back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 5:57 AM.