Joel Embiid rejects sacrifice talk: ‘I’m against the concept of sacrificing’

Joel Embiid rejects the notion that anyone on the Philadelphia 76ers’ star-studded roster needs to sacrifice for the team to reach its goals, according to Kris Rhim.

“I’m against the concept of sacrificing,” Embiid said after Friday’s preseason finale. “I think the way I explained it was you do what you do best, and we’re going to support you. … I don’t think anybody has to take a back seat.”

After struggling in his preseason debut against Brooklyn, Embiid played much better against Boston on Friday, recording 27 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes, though Philadelphia lost the exhibition as the Celtics rested several rotation regulars.

“We’re not where we want to be yet,” Jaylen Brown said. “So that’s just a part of it. It’s a part of coming together, a new group with a bunch of guys, different style, but we just got to keep getting better every day.”

The 76ers visit the New York Knicks on Tuesday in their regular season opener.