Joel Embiid has evasive response to questions about 76ers

Joel Embiid was not exactly effusive on Sunday when asked about the state of his relationship with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Embiid was asked about whether his relationship with team management is in a better place following his team’s 128-96 loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Sunday.

“I mean, we’re in the playoffs, we’re 3-1 so that’s what we focus on,” Embiid said. “I think we try to do the best job possible to try to make sure that I get back on the court but the focus is on the playoffs, trying to find a way to win one at a time.”

Obviously, Embiid is focused on other things, but he did not really go out of his way to say nice things about team management. There were reports last season that he had internal tension with the organization over treatment of his injuries, and it is not clear if that has subsided.

Embiid made his playoff debut Sunday after a bout with appendicitis. The frustration about his inability to stay healthy is high, both for him and the team, and one has to wonder how much longer the organization can stay committed to a player who has so rarely been available to them over the past several years.