Joel Embiid receives flagrant 1 for kicking; James Harden ejected for a low blow
In Game 3 of the NBA playoffs between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets, both teams’ star players found themselves in hot water.
In Game 3 of the NBA playoffs between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets, both teams’ star players found themselves in hot water.
Joel Embiid, the MVP favorite for the Sixers, kicked Nets center Nic Claxton after the latter took a step over him.
The kick landed near Claxton’s groin and sent him to the ground, resulting in Embiid being issued a flagrant one-foul. Claxton was also given a technical foul for stepping over Embiid.
Later in the first quarter, Claxton knocked Embiid over with a shove to the back during a rebound, causing Embiid to leave the game briefly.
He returned midway through the second quarter after a brief stint in the locker room.
In the third quarter, James Harden of the Nets was ejected for a low blow on Royce O’Neale during a drive.
The officials felt this was grounds for a flagrant two fouls and an automatic ejection. Harden finished the game with 21 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Despite Embiid playing through some pain, the Sixers managed to win 102-97 with Harden out of the game, taking a 3-0 lead over the Nets. Embiid had a crucial block on a potential game-tying basket with 10 seconds left.
Interestingly, Embiid’s non-ejection for a similar offense to Draymond Green’s recent stomp on Domantas Sabonis has raised some eyebrows.
Green, a repeat offender, was suspended for one game, which he served during Game 3 on Thursday.
It remains to be seen how Green will react to this development.
