As the Boston Celtics stared down an opportunity to win the 2024 NBA Finals with a sweep over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was in Dallas to check out the action.
Roughly 20 minutes before the game tipped off, Embiid was a surprise guest on NBA Countdown, joining the hosts alongside Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George.
When asked about his feelings towards the Celtics as they looked to potentially close in on an NBA Finals victory, Embiid revealed his honest opinion as always.
“I can’t stand them,” said the Sixers center. “I can’t stand them, I hate Boston. Great city, great fans, obviously they got some great players, but it hurts me a lot. So, hopefully, this offseason we find a way to get better, add some pieces.”
Being that the Sixers and the Celtics are Atlantic Division rivals, it doesn’t come as a shock that a homegrown star for the Sixers doesn’t enjoy the idea of seeing the Celtics take home the championship trophy.
But Embiid has also been quite honest in the past about the Celtics, who have had the Sixers’ number since Embiid became the face of Philly’s hoops team.
Embiid and the Sixers have faced the Celtics in the postseason twice in the last four years. During their series in 2020, the Celtics dominated the 76ers with a sweep in the first round.
Last year, the two teams met in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and battled it out for the full seven games. Although the Sixers possessed a 3-2 lead in Game 6, they lost 95-86. When they paid a visit to Boston for Game 7, the Sixers didn’t have any answers for the Celtics.
After losing to Boston, allowing them to make a 2023 Eastern Conference Finals appearance, the Sixers watched the Celtics fall short to the Miami Heat, who went on to battle the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals.
This year, the Celtics dominated in the regular season, cruised to the Eastern Conference Finals again, and defeated the Indiana Pacers to punch their ticket to the 2024 NBA Finals. While they couldn’t seal the deal on Friday, dropping Game 4 on the road, the Celtics have a comfortable 3-1 lead over Dallas ahead of Game 5, which takes place on Monday.
Soon, Embiid and the Sixers could watch their rivals raise a championship banner.