Joel Embiid is tired of the criticism.

The Philadelphia 76ers center has yet to make his 2024-25 debut with what the team calls left knee management, and he’s calling BS on anyone who says otherwise.

“I broke my face twice. “I returned early with the risk of losing my eyesight,” he said. Embiid told reporters on Friday. “…When I saw people saying they didn’t want to play, I’ve done so much for this city, I put myself at risk for people to say that. “I think this is bullshit… I’ve done too much to this fucking city to be treated like this.”

Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal led chorus of criticism Against Embiid at the national level.

Embiid directly mentioned Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes at Friday’s press conference after Hayes wrote a scathing op-ed calling out the center. “The least reliable superstar in the history of the game.”

Embiid participated in a five-on-five offense this week. According to ESPNHe is expected to miss his fifth straight game against the Grizzlies on Saturday.

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The former NBA MVP, who has dealt with numerous lower-body injuries throughout his 10-year career, said his return to the court will depend on his “confidence” in his stubborn right knee, but he expects to play “very soon.”

“I think it’s about being comfortable and trusting him,” Embiid said. “I want to be at my best. I don’t want to be in a situation where I’m afraid that if I do this, I might do something… Mentally, I’m just trying to get that confidence back.”

Earlier this week, the 76ers were fined $100,000 for making “inconsistent” statements about Embiid’s health as the season began.

Embiid was sidelined for the 76ers’ first four games despite playing a key role in the U.S. team’s gold medal run at the summer’s Paris Olympics.

With Embiid and free agent Paul George out with a knee injury, the NBA championship hopeful 76ers are 1-3.

Embiid, who was selected 3rd overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, missed the first two seasons of his career due to injuries and made his debut in 2016.

Since then, Embiid has played in just 433 of 805 regular season games.