Mitchell Robinson is still fuming over Joel Embiid’s controversial play in last year’s playoffs, and it appears his anger hasn’t subsided. The New York Knicks center recently liked an Instagram post discussing the possibility of the Philadelphia 76ers pursuing a medical retirement for Embiid, a move that would wipe his massive contract off the books.
Whether it was intentional or just an accidental double-tap, Robinson’s reaction has reignited discussions about his ongoing frustration with the Sixers star.
Joel Embiid’s dirty play in the 2024 Eastern Conference First Round against the Knicks left Robinson injured and forced him to miss crucial time. The incident saw Embiid grab Robinson’s leg while falling to the ground, bringing him down in what many Knicks players and fans labeled a blatantly dirty move.
The NBA assessed a Flagrant 1 on Embiid, but many—including Robinson—believed he should have been ejected from the game. Despite the foul, Embiid stayed on the floor and dropped 50 points, leading the Sixers to a crucial win.
Robinson has never been shy about calling out opponents he feels play dirty, and his dislike for Embiid is well-documented. After the game, Knicks players and staff ripped into Embiid, with Donte DiVincenzo calling the foul “dirty” and Josh Hart saying the play could have ended Robinson’s career.
The Knicks center himself later addressed the situation on a podcast with teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, stating that if the roles had been reversed, he would have been ejected and suspended. That frustration has lingered, as evidenced by his social media activity.
What made the situation even worse for Robinson was that he had just returned from an injury before the series. The Knicks’ starting center had missed a huge chunk of the 2023-24 season due to an ankle injury that required surgery, only making his return right before the playoffs.
The Embiid foul aggravated his ankle, and while he initially tried to play through it, he was forced to sit out the remainder of the playoffs. Without their premier shot-blocker anchoring the defense, the Knicks struggled, and many believe his absence played a major role in their early postseason exit.
The Instagram post Robinson liked wasn’t just any post—it detailed how the Sixers could force Embiid into medical retirement to remove his four-year, $292 million contract from their payroll.
Given Embiid’s long history of injuries, the idea of the 76ers moving on from their franchise star isn’t completely far-fetched. However, the post’s tone suggested that Embiid’s injuries were catching up to him, and Robinson’s engagement with it seemed to signal that he wouldn’t feel too bad if the Sixers had to part ways with the big man.
Embiid, who has only played 59 games over the past two seasons, has dealt with persistent knee issues and is rumored to be considering a radical surgery that could sideline him for an extended period as he has been shut down for this season.
The 76ers, who paired Embiid with Paul George this summer, have struggled to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference, sitting at 20-38 and essentially out of playoff contention. Without a fully healthy Embiid, their championship window appears to be closing fast.
After missing the first few months of the 2024-25 season, Robinson finally made his return to the lineup recently, providing New York with their much-needed interior presence.
Whether his Instagram like was a genuine sign of lingering bitterness or just a coincidence, it’s clear that the Embiid-Robinson rivalry is far from over. If these two meet on the court again, expect fireworks.
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