Joel Embiid and Devin Booker played together in the 2024 Olympics, where they won the gold medal. It was surprising, then, that the pair—meeting for the first time since that moment—were involved in a heated exchange during Saturday’s game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns.
It was Booker’s first game back since January 25 due to a right ankle sprain. His return, however, did not produce the desired result, as the Suns fell to the Sixers, 109–103.
Booker and Embiid had their heated exchange before the end of the first half, when they went one-on-one on the final play. The 2023 MVP was trying to work on offense against his former USA teammate, who managed to lock him down.
Embiid then fell to the floor, but Booker thought he was fishing for a foul. As a result, he confronted him right then and there.
Devin Booker had some words for Joel Embiid at the end of the half 😯👀
“I got all ball n*gga.” pic.twitter.com/rhcvQM1GBH
— CantGuardBook (@CGBBURNER) February 8, 2026
It did not escalate further, as Booker went straight to the locker room after the buzzer.
Devin Booker doubles down on Embiid
Booker said postgame that he got mad at Embiid because he thought he was flopping—something he believes the Sixers star should not be doing given his skill level.
He also clarified that there is no rift between them and that it was simply two competitive players going at it.
“I told him he’s too good of a player to be flopping like that,” Booker said as quoted by AZ Sports.
“We had Olympic experience together. He’s somebody I have high respect for. Just competition.”
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