LeBron James Says Joel Embiid Is Healthier Than in 2024

LeBron James has shared the floor with Joel Embiid before, but he says the version of the big man he is seeing in Philadelphia looks very different from the one he played alongside two summers ago. Asked by Ky Carlin, editor of Sixers Wire for USA Today Sports Media Group, how Embiid's health compares to their time together on Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, James did not hesitate.

"The difference between '24 and now, he's just so much more healthier. He hasn't missed a practice. Been in damn near everything that we've done."

LeBron James on Joel Embiid’s health compared to playing with him in the ‘24 Olympics: “The difference between ‘24 and now, he's just so much more healthier. He hasn't missed a practice. Been in damn near everything that we've done.” #Sixers pic.twitter.com/kavW0u3Zuh

— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) October 3, 2026

For a 76ers fan base that has spent years tracking Embiid's availability as closely as his box scores, those are encouraging words from the franchise's newest star.

From Olympic Teammates to Sixers Teammates

James and Embiid first joined forces in Paris, where Team USA captured gold. Embiid arrived at those Games after a difficult 2023–24 NBA season in which a knee injury limited his availability, and he was still working his way back to full strength during the Olympic run.

Now the two are teammates in a far more permanent setting. James' decision to sign with Philadelphia this offseason ended his seven-season run with the Los Angeles Lakers and instantly made the Sixers one of the most-watched teams in the league. Whether that move pays off depends heavily on whether Embiid, a former MVP, can stay on the court.

Why Embiid's Health Matters So Much

Few stars in the NBA have faced as many questions about durability as Embiid. When he is available, he remains one of the most dominant scorers and interior forces in basketball. The problem for Philadelphia has been the stretches when he is not, and those absences have repeatedly shaped the team's fate in the spring.

That is why James' comments carry weight. Practice attendance is not the same as a full 82-game workload, but participating in "damn near everything" during camp is a meaningful early sign. It suggests Embiid is entering the season with a level of physical readiness the Sixers have not been able to count on in recent years.

Scoop B's Offseason Reporting

James' optimism stands in contrast to some of the reporting that surrounded his free agency. In July, Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson wrote that the Cleveland Cavaliers were viewed as the frontrunner to land James in a potential homecoming, while Philadelphia was exploring its own path to acquiring him.

Robinson reported that the 76ers, under new president Mike Gansey, another executive with Ohio ties to James, were working to make a deal happen. He also noted that pairing James with Embiid was seen as a major unresolved concern, and cited sources suggesting Philadelphia might need to move Embiid to make the fit work.

Instead, James landed in Philadelphia with Embiid still on the roster. Now, rather than being viewed as an obstacle, a healthier Embiid could be the piece that makes the partnership work.

What It Means for the Sixers

If James' assessment holds up, Philadelphia could boast one of the most intriguing star pairings in the Eastern Conference. James, even late in his career, remains an elite playmaker who can make life easier for a dominant post scorer. Embiid, at full strength, gives James the type of interior partner who can draw constant attention and finish plays.

The pairing also eases the burden on both stars. James no longer has to carry the offense every night, and Embiid gets a proven creator who can set him up for easier looks instead of forcing him to work for every basket.

The challenge will be sustaining that health across a long regular season and into the playoffs. Training camp optimism is common around the league, and the Sixers have experienced their share of setbacks after promising starts.

An Encouraging Start

For now, the early signs are positive. James has seen Embiid at less than his best and believes the difference is obvious. Coming from a four-time champion who has studied the bodies and habits of teammates for more than two decades, that is a vote of confidence Sixers fans will gladly take into the new season.