Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was ejected in the second quarter from his team’s 111-106 win over the San Antonio Spurs Monday.
Embiid took exception to being assessed an offensive foul against Spurs star Victor Wembanyama with three minutes remaining in the half. He promptly picked up two technical fouls after confronting referee Jenna Schroeder to dispute the charge call, resulting in his ejection.
Embiid wasn’t the first to be tossed from Monday’s contest, but he was the first to remain ejected.
Fellow 76ers center Andre Drummond was tossed earlier in the second quarter after picking up two technical fouls in quick succession following his own back-and-forth with Wembanyama. Drummond returned to the court from the locker room after his second tech was rescinded, as officials instead assessed Wembanyama a technical foul for flopping. However, after 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey converted the ensuing free throw, that call on Wembanyama was also rescinded, and Philadelphia’s extra point was removed.
Officiating crew chief Curtis Blair revealed in a pool report postgame that they withdrew Drummond’s and Wembanyama’s technicals after discovering the Spurs forward had tripped over Drummond’s foot in the play in question.
Drummond then left the game for good in the third after sustaining a toe injury on his left foot.
Embiid finished with nine points on 2-of-8 shooting (1-of-4 from three, 4-of-4 on free throws), three rebounds, two steals, and an assist in 14 minutes. It was the 76ers center’s eighth game of the season out of a possible 27 so far.
Despite his early exit, Embiid may have gotten the last laugh. Maxey hit a dagger three with 30 seconds to play that put Philadelphia up four, and the Spurs never got closer.
Wembanyama, meanwhile, finished with a team-high 26 points in 37 minutes, adding nine rebounds, eight blocks, and four assists in San Antonio’s loss.
Asked about being the target of boos from the Philly faithful every time he touched the ball following Embiid’s dismissal, Wembanyama was unruffled. “I’ve seen much, much worse, so this is nothing,” Wembanyama said postgame, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News.
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