'COOKED'
NBA fans concerned for Joel Embiid after 76ers star ‘flops’ on free throw during bizarre moment in win over Miami Heat
Embiid recently missed 29 games following a knee injury
A BIZARRE on-court moment from Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has left some fans worried.
The 76ers got their postseason off to a solid start on Wednesday with a 105-104 win against the Miami Heat, setting up a First Round matchup with the New York Knicks.
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However, fans were concerned early on that things weren't looking good for Embiid.
During the first quarter, after missing a free throw, the reigning NBA MVP immediately fell to his knees before getting back to his feet.
The clip of Embiid strangely "flopping" quickly made it's way to X, formerly known as Twitter, where speculation ramped up as to what was going on.
"Bro don't wanna play no more," one comment read.
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"His knees gave out lol," said a second.
"His knees are so cooked," added a third.
While another claimed, "He does this all the time. He thinks he's gonna miss."
Embiid recently missed 29 games after suffering a torn meniscus in his knee, returning on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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He would suit up in five games to close out the regular season, averaging 30.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists.
This was followed up by 23 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists against the Heat.
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Despite this, former NBA star turned NBA analyst Tim Legler believes all is not well with Embiid.
"If I am the Knicks, and I'm watching that game, I am licking my chops right now because Joel Embiid is not right," he claimed on Get Up.
Legler said he believed Embiid "was not changing ends of the floor," he wasn't "sealing with intent in the paint," no was he moving laterally defensively.
Having beaten Miami, the 76ers have now given themselves a perhaps much needed three day break before they head to New York for Game 1 of the First Round against the Knicks.
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As for Miami, they will host the Chicago Bulls on Friday in the Play-In Tournament with a First Round game against the top-seeded Boston Celtics on the line.
Regardless of how the 76ers fare against New York, Embiid will need to stay game ready in the coming weeks as the 2024 Paris Olympics approach.
Embiid was one of 12 players named to Team USA on Wednesday along with the likes of LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
Kevin Durant and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday of the Boston Celtics, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, Kawhi Leonard of the Clippers, and Anthony Davis of the Lakers also made the squad.
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They will be coached by Warriors boss Steve Kerr.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, and Gonzaga head coach Mark Few will work as Kerr's assistants.
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