“NBA don’t like Embiid” — allegations pretty strong, but it seems Adam Silver has no time to spare for netizens at the moment. As most NBA fans would know, Joel Embiid has missed the first 3 games this season because of a knee injury issue. But that did not stop the league from hitting the 76ers star with a technical foul for his antics during the matchup with the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. While the fans erupted on social media platforms against the league and Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner has yet to respond. He, however, was spotted with Magic Johnson at the recent World Series matchup between the Dodgers and Yankees.

“Look at who I ran into at the game – MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver!” Magic wrote on X, sharing the photo. Notably, this came after a series of tweets by Johnson regarding his team’s loss against New York. “Dodger Nation, we’re still up 3-1 and I look forward to Game 5 with our outstanding pitcher Jack Flaherty back taking the mound for our @Dodgers,” Buck earlier posted on X. 

Prior to this, the former NBA star congratulated Freddie Freeman on his outstanding performance throughout this Series despite the 11-4 loss in Game 4. If you have been following the World Series, you’d know the Dodgers presently have a 3-1 lead on the Yankees despite the recent loss. Nevertheless, Silver’s presence at this game comes at a time when the league is facing scrutiny over its treatment of Joel Embiid, especially during Sunday’s matchup.

Picture this—Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard is at the free-throw line, and the tension is thick. Embiid, on the sideline, sees an opportunity to help his team close out their first win of the season. So, what does he do? He grabs a towel and gives it a little wave, hoping to throw Nembhard off. Amazingly, it works—Nembhard misses, and the Sixers snag the win. Harmless fun, right? The NBA, however, didn’t see it that way. They handed Embiid a rare post-game technical foul for his distraction.

Even Joel Embiid considers himself to be the most hated player in the league

The 76ers star doesn’t get the hate he seems to receive—but he sure feels it. “I’m probably the most hated guy in the league,” he said on The Check Ball Show. “Don’t know what’s there to hate about me. I feel like a lot of people can relate to my story and what I’ve been through.” And he has quite the story, doesn’t he?

Drafted third overall in 2014, Embiid’s early NBA years were anything but easy. Chronic foot injuries kept him sidelined for his first two seasons, and he played just 31 games in his third. But fast-forward a few years, and Embiid wasn’t just back—he became one of the best. Even helped turn the 76ers into a playoff mainstay after years of rebuilding.

So why the polarizing vibes? For one, Embiid’s never been shy on the court—whether it’s trash talk or just his confident swagger, he brings intensity every night. But then some fans think he’s one of the league’s biggest floppers, which could explain the “hate” he’s talking about.

Nevertheless, Adam Silver, as the commissioner of the league, would want to stand on neutral grounds. So it becomes important for him to speak up on fans’ heat against the league for what happened with Embiid. Especially when fans see that he has time to make appearances at the World Series game.