The trouble for Joel Embiid only seems to be growing more intense! After performing at an abysmal level during Team USA’s exhibition games, the 34-year-old player was not exhibiting the most confidence for fans back home. There was still some hope that the player would bring out his renowned prowess once the main games came up. Unfortunately, the recent update may have quashed the chances for that as well.

In a recent update, Grant Afseth, reporter for EssentiallySports, highlighted that Joel Embiid will not be making the Team USA practice session today in light of being ill. This news comes just as Australia is facing off against Spain as part of the first Group A matchup of the tournament.

There seemed to be nothing wrong with Embiid as Team USA traveled across the River Seine during the recent Opening Ceremony.

In fact, he even participated in a hilarious banter with Tyrese Haliburton when the latter jokingly asked the player to give his passport back. However, the weather from across the pond does not seem to have agreed with the player, bringing him down in such a manner that even a practice session could not get him back up.

The update about Joel Embiid comes just as it was confirmed that Kevin Durant, the most experience Olympian on the current roster, will be available for Team USA’s opening game against Serbia. Durant had earlier developed a calf strain during training camp, preventing him from appearing in any of the exhibition games. The injury had even caused longtime radio hosts Chris Broussard and Rob Parker to question whether having him play in the Olympics was worth the risk. However, Steve Kerr has now provided the green signal for the same. If Embiid ends up being absent, Durant is the player that can efficiently cover for him.

Joel Embiid was ready to face the boos from the Paris crowd “It just makes you want to go even harder”

Losing Joel Embiid would leave a noticeable gap on the Team USA roster. At the same time, however, not being able to play would also not allow him to be on the receiving end of too many boos from the local attendees. After all, the player could have chosen to represent France during the 2024 Olympics, but instead aligned with USA. According to reports, prior to gaining a French citizenship from President Emmanuel Macron, Embiid had alleged stated in a letter the idea of representing France. Therefore, the French people would not be entirely wrong in bring their criticism to the forefront.

Despite this, the NBA player was ready to face anything and all that came his way. In a statement prior to his reported illness, Embiid admitted “I expect a lot of boos. But I actually love it. It’s not going to be anything I haven’t seen. It just makes you want to go even harder so you can shut them up. There’s nothing better. They’re booing, and you make a big shot, and the whole arena is quiet. That’s the best feeling. You look around, you’re like, ‘I don’t hear anymore, it’s time to go home.’”

Embiid was equally excited to shut down Serbia as he was about putting the crowd in silent mode. In early July, he stated “I don’t care about (Nikola Jokic)” when discussing what going up against the 3x MVP would mean. However, until Steve Kerr provides an update, the 30-year-old may be all but absent from the lineup.