It’s all fun and games, unless you’re trying to kick someone’s ass on the court.

That’s the explanation from Joel Embiid after he was asked about this Instagram exchange with Karl-Anthony Towns after practice on Thursday afternoon:

Embiid walked over to gathered media at the same time as Robert Covington, so the pair spoke together on a variety topics. We got two players at the same time. It was a “two-for,” as they say.

Joel laughed when asked about the post:

“Like I’ve said before, I don’t ever start things. Things come up to me and I just go with the flow. I just posted a pic. I felt like we got a great win on the road and I had a great Euro-step, so I was just like, ‘we were Euro-stepping our way through Minnesota and we ended up raising the cat.’ I don’t think he understood the meaning of raising the cat. Maybe he thought it was about him. That’s basically when we win a game. You gotta raise the cat!”

(Embiid puts his arms in the air as if raising a cat)

“I guess he thought it was about him. He made a comment. You know they call me troll-el Embiid, so I don’t let things go by. I just saw it and I just felt like that needed a reaction from me. I think I had a pretty good comeback. But it’s all fun, like I said, it’s all about having fun. I’m just having fun out there. Social media is a way for me to express myself and off the court we’re friends and stuff. On the court I want to kick his ass.”

Keith Pompey: I was gonna say, because that’s your guy, right?

“That’s my guy, yea. We talk to each other, him, (Andrew) Wiggins, those are my guys. It’s all fun. Hopefully no one ever takes it seriously.”

And the video for your viewing pleasure: