76ers’ Joel Embiid Defends Actions In Game 3 vs. Knicks

Philadelphia 76ers’ star Joel Embiid has found himself in the middle of a recent NBA controversy that he does not want to be part of. In Game 3 of the first-round series against the New York Knicks, Embiid was involved in several incidents that could be categorized as dirty.

In the first quarter, he was called for an offensive foul when he hit Knicks’ center Isaiah Hartenstein in the groin while the team was getting into their offense. New York’s second center, Mitchell Robinson, was also kicked in the groin by Embiid during the game.

Neither of those plays were assessed anything further, as the incident with Hartenstein was reviewed. The most egregious play Embiid was involved in came with 4:34 remaining in the first quarter.

Embiid attempted to draw an offensive foul on Robinson and was knocked to the floor. Robinson was left wide open under the rim as he received a pass from OG Anunoby. Instead of just allowing Robinson to dunk the ball, Embiid grabbed him around the ankle after he went airborne.

Upon review, Embiid was assessed a Flagrant-1 foul. He is very lucky that he wasn’t docked with a Flagrant-2 and automatic ejection as his actions certainly warranted such a response from the NBA referees.

Robinson was not the same after the play, as didn’t return to the game after halftime because of an ankle injury. He was seen walking in a boot while exiting the arena. After the game, Embiid spoke about the play and defended his actions on the play.

“I didn’t mean to hurt anybody. In those situations, I got to protect myself, because I’ve been in way too many situations where I’m always the recipient of the bad end of it. It was unfortunate,” Embiid said, from NBA Dunk Central via PHLY Sixers on X.

On video replay, Embiid didn’t look to be in danger of being landed on top of or anything of the sort. He went out of his way to grab Robinson’s ankles, which is not a basketball play and could have certainly been elevated to a Flagrant-2.

There are some players in the NBA who believe had that been anyone other than Embiid, an ejection would have occurred. It would be interesting to hear what Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green thinks of the play, as he would have been thrown out of the game immediately.

Embiid further attempted to defend his actions by speaking about the physicality of the series. The Knicks are as hard-nosed and physical as any team in the NBA and Embiid was looking to match that.

“They want to bring the physicality. We can get physical, too, and we are. So I mean, it goes both ways. I get bumped all over the place, and I just keep playing.”