Joel Embiid’s Team USA debut went about as poorly as possible and basketball fans were unforgiving

It was a big win for the U.S. when Joel Embiid made the decision in April to play for Team USA over France or Cameroon for the 2024 Olympics. He gave the team a much-needed size boost to hold up against some of the bigger teams they’ll face in Paris.

That decision did not pay immediate dividends in his exhibition debut for Team USA, though.

Embiid fouled out in the third quarter of Wednesday’s game against Canada after just 12 minutes on the floor. That includes an unsportsmanlike foul for elbowing Dwight Powell in the face. He finished with five points on 2-of-5 shooting with six rebounds, two assists and four turnovers.

Joel Embiid tonight:

5 fouls 4 turnovers2 buckets pic.twitter.com/qqCuV2rCO1

— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 11, 2024

The former MVP that he is, Embiid will almost certainly have better games to come. But that didn’t stop basketball fans on social media from ripping him for his struggles adjusting to international rules.

Social media reaction to Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid for Team USA when he can’t be a foul merchant pic.twitter.com/HVE2fVJafS

— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) July 11, 2024

"I can't be physical?"

Joel Embiid delivering an elbow to Dwight Powell. He's since fouled out. #TeamUSA #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/piwvtyzgnf

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) July 11, 2024

Dwight Powell clamping up Joel Embiid in the first quarter pic.twitter.com/oRSksuQ6T9

— Jo (@MavsStan41) July 11, 2024

If @NBAOfficial did their jobs this would occur more often then not. https://t.co/OeCBUjqVlA

— KnicksFanSinceBirth ???????? (@Dattfranco) July 11, 2024

Joel Embiid playing like Caitlin Clark passed him the ball pic.twitter.com/J4R2CyPJGD

— ???????? | ???? (@HoodieNaz_) July 11, 2024

Joel Embiid fouled out in 12 minutes during a showcase in his FIBA play.

He couldn’t score against Dwight Powell. Embiid threw an elbow to Powell’s head and received an unsportsmanlike penalty.

Brutal.

— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) July 11, 2024

Spending a month with FIBA refs actually might do Joel Embiid a world of good.

— Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) July 11, 2024

People are “hate watching” a player that’s on their own country’s team ????????

Joel Embiid is the most hated player in a really long time

— J???? (@SixersJustin) July 11, 2024