LeBron James denies practice story as Mike Breen apologizes to Joel Embiid

LeBron James has pushed back against a practice story involving Joel Embiid that was told on television, leading longtime play-by-play announcer Mike Breen to apologize for repeating it. The episode unfolded around Monday’s preseason opener between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers, a game already drawing attention as an early look at Philadelphia’s revamped roster.

On-air anecdote about Embiid sparks backlash

During the MSG broadcast of the exhibition, Breen relayed a story he said he heard before the game. According to that account, the 76ers were preparing to practice when Embiid walked onto the floor a few minutes late and James verbally checked him, an example Breen framed as early evidence of James’ leadership in Philadelphia.

Because Embiid has previously been linked to questions about punctuality, attaching his name to the tale quickly sent it circulating on social media. The clip gained enough traction that James addressed it on Instagram, insisting the sequence never occurred and defending his new teammate’s professionalism. In his post, James wrote that Embiid had not been late and urged people to stop spreading the story.

Breen apologizes and says he believes James

After James’ denial, Breen spoke with ESPN to clarify his remarks and issue an apology. He said he trusted the person who originally shared the anecdote but added that if James says it did not happen, he believes him and is sorry for putting the story out during the broadcast. Breen acknowledged that he did not fully consider the ripple effect of naming Embiid in what he viewed as a minor sideline note.

The veteran broadcaster also reflected on how identifying Embiid turned what he thought was an innocuous example of leadership into a full news cycle. He expressed regret that the focus landed on the 76ers’ star centre in a negative light and said he felt badly that his attempt to add colour to a preseason game instead created an unwanted distraction.

Early sign of the scrutiny facing the 76ers

The controversy arrives before the regular season even begins for a 76ers team that will face intense scrutiny after a headline-making summer. Philadelphia reshaped its core by trading for Jaylen Brown and signing James, moves that have raised questions about how the new stars will fit together on and off the court.

That a single anecdote from a preseason telecast generated such widespread reaction underscores how closely this group will be watched. While James and Breen appear eager to move on, the incident is an early reminder that every storyline around the 76ers is likely to be magnified throughout the year.