The NBA playoffs are heating up, and it's not just the action on the court that's getting intense. Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid found himself in the crosshairs of a former NFL legend after a lackluster performance in Game 1 against the New York Knicks.
Embiid, who recently returned from emergency appendicitis surgery, struggled mightily in the 137-98 blowout loss, shooting just 3-of-11 from the field for 14 points. But it wasn't his stat line that drew the ire of Tiki Barber—it was his postgame comments about a hard hit from Mikal Bridges.
“I felt like it was unnecessary, but we move on,” Embiid said. “It’s whatever, it’s playoff basketball. If that’s the reality of it, I guess we’ve got to go out and be physical, too.”
Barber, the former New York Giants running back and current WFAN host, didn't mince words on his show “Evan & Tiki.” He ripped into Embiid for complaining about playing through pain, drawing on his own NFL experience.
“If it’s gonna hurt, to physically be hurt, and someone might run into you, accidentally or otherwise, don’t play,” Barber said. “I remember when I had a broken arm in 2000? I had to tape my other arm because they were literally stepping on it, knowing I had a broken arm. I didn’t complain about it. It’s part of the risk of playing hurt. So, stop being a b—-.”
Barber didn't stop there. He called Embiid's attitude “weak” and said it's like “asking for sympathy.” The former All-Pro made it clear that in his book, you just don't complain about injuries—you play through them without a peep.
This isn't the first time Embiid has faced criticism for his injury-related comments. The big man has a history of battling health issues, but Barber's fiery take adds a new layer of drama to an already tense series. Embiid's Desperate Plea: Don't Let Knicks Fans Steal Home Court shows how much he wants to protect the home-court advantage, but Barber thinks he needs to toughen up.
The 76ers aren't backing down, though. Forward Kelly Oubre Jr. added fuel to the fire by accusing Knicks star Jalen Brunson of flopping, saying it's “tough to guard with his head doing all that.” The Knicks haven't responded publicly, but you can bet they'll be ready for Game 2.
With the series shifting to Philadelphia, the pressure is on Embiid to prove his critics wrong. But if Barber's words are any indication, the former MVP has a long way to go before earning respect from the old-school football crowd. Heartbreak for Giants Fans: Legend Lawrence Taylor Battling Pancreatitis shows that even legends face tough times, but Barber expects Embiid to handle his with more grit.
Game 2 tips off Wednesday night, and all eyes will be on Embiid to see if he can bounce back—or if Barber's critique will get under his skin. Trent Baalke Back in the NFL: Former Jaguars GM Joins Browns as Consultant for 2026 might be grabbing headlines in football, but the NBA drama is stealing the show.
