The saga of Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers continues to unfold with unexpected twists, as recent events have brought an interesting exchange back into the spotlight.
The reigning MVP’s impact on the court is undeniable, yet ongoing injury concerns have sparked speculation about his future in Philadelphia.
Now, it seems one destination can definitively be crossed off the list: the Indiana Pacers.
The new Netflix docuseries “Court of Gold,” which chronicles Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, captured a memorable moment with Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, who asked Embiid, “You gonna come to Indy?”
In the playful exchange, Embiid gave a definitive answer.
“Never in my life. I would rather retire,” Embiid said, via Evan Sidery of Forbes.
Tyrese Haliburton attempted to recruit Joel Embiid to the Pacers during the Olympics (via @netflix):
Haliburton: “You gonna come to Indy?”
Embiid: “Never in my life, I’d rather retire.” pic.twitter.com/twGV48MrLW
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) February 18, 2025
That lighthearted moment has aged poorly.
The 76ers’ current reality paints a stark contrast to their preseason championship hopes.
Embiid’s availability has been a major factor. He’s played in just 17 games while battling a knee injury.
Meanwhile, the Pacers have emerged as one of the league’s surprise success stories and appear poised to build on last year’s impressive run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The stark difference in trajectories adds an ironic twist to Embiid’s emphatic rejection of the idea of ever donning a Pacers jersey.
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