Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey addressed “the elephant in the room” during a team meeting after Philadelphia’s fourth straight loss to the Heat on Monday, according to ESPN.
Maxey reportedly called out 76ers franchise face Joel Embiid over being late “for everything” and about how his time management effects his teammates and the coaching staff.
Veteran guard Kyle Lowry called the team meeting amid Philadelphia’s 2-11 start.
“Tyrese loves Big Fella, but this is the elephant in the room,” a person in the meeting told ESPN, noting the pair is close.
Players and coaches “held each other accountable and took fault” thus far into the season, sources told the outlet — adding that it was “a much-needed heart-to-heart and a call to action and urgency.”
Players reportedly told 76ers head coach Nick Nurse they want to be coached harder, while Nurse and his staff said they want players to be better in practice and pay attention to detail.
Embiid said he’s sometimes confused about the Sixers’ game plan, according to ESPN.
The big man played in the 106-89 loss to the Heat on Monday, despite being listed as doubtful due to an illness.
ESPN reported that most players and coaches didn’t see Embiid until he arrived for warmups ahead of the game.
The Sixers’ record so far isn’t a reflection of a fully healthy roster.
Maxey has been sidelined with a strained right hamstring since Nov. 7.
Embiid missed the preseason and season opener with what the team said was “knee injury management” — he missed the end of last season with a knee injury.
Last month, the NBA fined the Sixers $100,000 for violating league rules over public statements that the NBA said were “inconsistent” with Embiid’s health.
After that, he served a three-game suspension for shoving Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Marcus Hayes over a written piece that included the writer brining up Embiid’s late brother and son.
Embiid, Maxey and All-Star guard Paul George, whom the Sixers signed in the offseason, have yet to a play a game together.
The Sixers face the Grizzlies (8-6) on Wednesday in Memphis.
