.jpg)
1 hour ago
4
While the Philadelphia 76ers currently sit one game away from completing a 3-1 comeback against the Boston Celtics, the series would be especially sweet for Joel Embiid.
In 2018, Embiid went viral after saying the Celtics-Sixers matchup was not a rivalry and that the Celtics "always kick our a—." The Cameroonian center has yet to beat Boston in a playoff series, with his career series record sitting at 0-3 against the Eastern Conference powerhouse.
After Embiid stated that quote, fans across social media reused that quote whenever a rivalry was rather one-sided in one team's favor. The quote is versatile and can be used across all sports formats and languages.
Here's what Philadelphia's star said, and how the Sixers are one win away from removing their past playoff streak against Boston.
NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket
What did Joel Embiid say about 76ers-Celtics rivalry?
Embiid went viral after the team's opening game against Boston in the 2018 season. After a 105-87 loss on the road, the Sixers' star center kept it brutally honest with reporters. According to Embiid, "This is not a rivalry... they always kick our a--." Here is a clip of the Cameroonian speaking with reporters after the loss.
Joel did NOT hold back about what he thought of the Celtics-Sixers rivalry. pic.twitter.com/rkEsYYnZ2T
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) October 17, 2018After Philadelphia's 106-93 Game 6 win on Thursday, Embiid expressed his satisfaction at the chance to finally down Boston in the playoffs. In his career, the center is 0-3 in series against the Celtics, and is sitting at one game away from getting a tally in the win column.
Joel Embiid on the upcoming Game 7 vs. Boston:
"I've been playing these guys for so long. I'm tired of losing to them. We have a chance to accomplish something special."
Embiid is 0-3 in career playoff series against the Celtics.pic.twitter.com/dqIcklBst5
"I've been playing these guys for so long. I'm tired of losing to them," said Embiid. We have a chance to accomplish something special."
SN NBA AWARDS: POY (Victor Wembanyama) | ROY (Kon Knueppel) | COY (Joe Mazzulla)
Joel Embiid Celtics meme
After Embiid first muttered his line about the rivalry being one-sided in the playoffs, NBA fans have referenced it frequently. Here are a few instances where the quote was revitalized.
After Boston took Game 1 of this series by a whopping 32-point margin, Embiid's quote came back to bite him. It originally appeared that this year's series would be more of the same.
“It’s not a rivalry they always kick our ass”
-Joel Embiid
One user related the quote to the Dallas Cowboys trading Micah Parsons away to their conference rival, the Green Bay Packers. The last time Dallas was victorious over Green Bay came in 2016, which was quarterback Dak Prescott's first game against the team.
Like Joel Embiid said it’s not a rivalry they always kick our ass https://t.co/iMzf5GEqcd
— Abhi Nair 😤 (@abhinair66) August 30, 2025Another use of the meme also came on the NFL front. In 2024, a fan related the Tampa Bay Buccaneers "rivalry" to the Philadelphia Eagles in the words Embiid once spoke.
“It’s not a rivalry they always kick our ass”
- Embiid https://t.co/CH286A7tOw
MORE: Who is announcing each stage of the 2026 NBA playoffs?
English (US)