Embiid Ejected in Chaotic Opening Half as 76ers Rally to Beat Spurs
PHILADELPHIA — In a game that was as much about drama as it was about basketball, the Philadelphia 76ers managed to pull off a thrilling comeback against the San Antonio Spurs, winning 111-106. The game was marked by a chaotic first half that saw two ejections, including one for the 76ers’ star Joel Embiid, and a bizarre sequence involving Andre Drummond.
The drama began when Embiid, driving to the basket, collided with San Antonio’s young sensation Victor Wembanyama. The 20-year-old French player hit the floor, and Embiid was called for a charge with 2:59 left in the first half. The call didn’t sit well with Embiid, who immediately protested, earning a technical foul from referee Jenna Schroeder.
As Embiid approached the bench, his frustration boiled over. He charged back towards the officials, only to be restrained by teammate Kyle Lowry, coach Nick Nurse, and several assistants. Schroeder issued a second technical foul, resulting in Embiid’s ejection, the second of his career.
After the game, crew chief Curtis Blair explained to a pool reporter that there was “incidental contact with both of them” during the sequence, but nothing that warranted further punishment. Nurse, however, was left in the dark, stating, “I couldn’t ever really get to the referee that called it.”
Embiid, who was playing with a mask due to a sinus fracture, had nine points and three rebounds in 14 minutes, shooting 2-for-8. He entered the game averaging 22.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.
The first half also saw another ejection, this time involving Drummond. Initially called for a technical foul after a tussle with Wembanyama, Drummond was ejected after a second technical. However, after a video review, the ejection was rescinded, and Wembanyama was instead assessed a technical for flopping. Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey made the free throw, but the point was later removed when the technical was rescinded.
“The whole thing was really strange,” Nurse commented on the sequence of events. According to the pool report, Drummond’s contact with Wembanyama was deemed incidental as he stepped on the latter’s foot.
Drummond, who had already left for the locker room, was seen returning to the court after the decision was reversed. “He just stepped on my foot, and I fell,” Wembanyama said, adding that he didn’t expect a foul to be called.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, filling in for Gregg Popovich, who is recovering from a stroke, agreed with the decision, stating, “I don’t think it was a foul on them, and I don’t think it was a flop [on Wembanyama].”
The incidents led to Philadelphia fans booing Wembanyama every time he touched the ball. Despite the hostile environment, Wembanyama finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, and eight blocks. However, it was Maxey who stole the show, scoring 32 points and making two crucial plays in the final minute to secure the win for the 76ers.
After the game, Embiid returned to the court to celebrate with his teammates, though he did not address the media. According to a team official, Embiid left the arena before reporters could speak with him.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: Michael C. Wright
