Embiid claims Whiteside attempted to target his oft-injured back

After his Philadelphia 76ers' 108-99 defeat at the hands of the Miami Heat on Thursday night, All-Star center Joel Embiid didn't mince words about adversary Hassan Whiteside.

"(He) tried hit me in the back, which is kind of dirty because of the fact that I’ve had back problems. So we’re going to see about that. I won’t forget about that," Embiid said postgame, per NBC Sports' Jessica Camerato.

The 23-year-old was referring to a third-quarter fracas when the two bigs briefly became entangled in transition, with Whiteside appearing to drive his right forearm into Embiid's back:

"He hits really soft, so I didn’t feel anything," Embiid continued. "But just the action of him trying to like do that I think is pretty messed up."

Embiid's long history of back issues has been well-established, underscored by lengthy absences at both the collegiate and professional level over the past five years.

The animosity between the gregarious Embiid and the ever surly Whiteside has been well-documented, too. The behemoths exchanged a series of barbs over social media back in October, with Embiid criticizing his Heat counterpart for his play, and Whiteside mocking the Sixers star for his struggles to stay healthy.

After Thursday's clash, the Sixers sit sixth in the East with a 35-29 record, with the Heat following in hot pursuit at 35-31. Barring a first-round playoff matchup, the two teams won't face each other again this season, but that likely won't stop these two willing combatants from once more taking their scuffle from the hard court to the internet.