Embiid-Towns Rivalry Reignites as Old NSFW Feud Resurfaces Ahead of Knicks-76ers Showdown

The Philadelphia 76ers’ stunning comeback to eliminate the Boston Celtics in seven games not only set up a surprising second-round series against the New York Knicks but also revived one of the NBA’s most heated rivalries.

Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns, two of the league’s most dominant big men, are once again on a collision course—a matchup that has plenty of history and even more social media fuel.

Their feud first caught fire back in October 2019, when Embiid and Towns squared off in an intense scuffle while Towns was with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The altercation resulted in suspensions for both players, but the fireworks truly exploded afterward on social media.

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Each star took to Instagram and Twitter to deliver NSFW messages, with Embiid notably tagging Towns and declaring, “pretty please make the playoffs before you talk. It’s a known thing that I OWN YOU.”

THINGS ARE ESCALATING IN PHILLY WITH KAT AND EMBIID GOING AT IT. pic.twitter.com/7nNhWnCHFv

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) October 31, 2019

Embiid and KAT suspended for 2 games for last night’s fight, no fine for Ben Simmons, per @James_HamNBCS pic.twitter.com/cosEtLAVCO

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 31, 2019

Those posts resurfaced this week, reigniting interest just as the Knicks prepare to face the 76ers at Madison Square Garden. The timing couldn’t be more fitting, with both stars healthy and coming off commanding performances in their respective playoff runs. The anticipation is building not just for the basketball, but for the inevitable tension that follows when these two share a court.

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It’s been more than six years since that melee, and both players have publicly downplayed any ongoing hostility.

However, the NBA has a long memory, and fans never forget a feud that once lit up social media. The resurfacing of those explicit posts has sparked a wave of online debate and nostalgia from fans who remember the original drama.

For Towns, this series holds personal stakes beyond a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

After spending most of his career in the Western Conference, he’s finally facing Embiid in the playoffs—a chance to flip the narrative on their rivalry. His move to the Knicks ahead of the 2024-25 season rejuvenated his career, helping New York return to relevance and reach the conference finals last year.

Embiid, meanwhile, enters this series looking every bit the MVP-caliber player who has carried Philadelphia for years.

His Game 7 performance against Boston was a reminder of how unstoppable he can be, finishing with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in a 112-105 win. Tyrese Maxey matched his energy, posting 30 points and 11 rebounds in a performance that solidified his status as one of the league’s rising stars.

The 76ers will need that dynamic duo firing on all cylinders to combat New York’s home-court advantage and their powerful frontcourt anchored by Towns. Jalen Brunson has been the heart of the Knicks’ offense, but Towns’ ability to stretch the floor and control the paint will likely define how far they advance.

That tough guy act ain’t cutting it …. you know what you are.. you know what you’ve always been>>> A PUSSY (SAY IT LOUDER FOR PEOPLE IN THE BACK) Been kicking your ass and pretty please make the playoffs before you talk. It’s a known thing that I OWN YOU. @KarlTowns pic.twitter.com/Izqwk3pEnM

— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) October 31, 2019

I aIN’t nO BiTcH

RaiSeD ARoUnD LiOnS

🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢🧢
🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡#BitchTalk pic.twitter.com/5ujFmRXh9Q

— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) October 31, 2019

While both teams have evolved over the years, fans can’t help but feel that this Embiid-Towns subplot gives the series an extra layer of intrigue.

Social media has already turned it into a headline battle before the opening tip. Memes, throwback clips, and side-by-side montages of the 2019 fight are flooding platforms, creating the kind of buzz the NBA thrives on.

Embiid’s unapologetic personality has always fueled rivalries, and his history of playful antagonism makes this reunion compelling theater.

Towns, no longer the young star trying to prove his place among the league’s elite, carries himself with more composure but certainly hasn’t forgotten the taunts that once went viral. Both players acknowledge maturity over time, yet the competitiveness that defines them guarantees fireworks in this matchup.

The Knicks’ faithful will undoubtedly remind Embiid of his past words, chanting and jeering every missed shot. However, Embiid is no stranger to hostile environments and often seems to thrive in them. Philadelphia’s confidence is high following an improbable comeback against Boston, especially with their leader back at full strength after missing the first three games of that series.

As the second round tips off, the energy promises to be electric. Beyond the tactical battles between coaches and the on-court duels between stars, the narrative circling around Embiid and Towns may ultimately shape how this series is remembered. The question is whether the focus will remain on their play or if old wounds will reopen when emotions inevitably boil over.

Either way, fans are getting a matchup rich with drama, talent, and history. The next chapter in the Embiid-Towns saga is about to unfold on one of basketball’s biggest stages, and the whole league will be watching. Whether it ends in redemption or renewed rivalry, it is exactly the kind of storyline that defines playoff basketball in the NBA.

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