Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was ejected in the first half of Monday night’s game against San Antonio after receiving two technical fouls. Referee Jenna Schroeder ejected Embiid with 2:59 left in the second quarter. The seven-time All-Star received the first technical for disputing a call with Schroeder and was promptly hit with a second technical and subsequent ejection from Schroeder shortly afterward. While Embiid was in close proximity to Schroeder, replays did not definitively show whether he made physical contact with the official.
Following his ejection, an incensed Embiid made a beeline towards the officials before being restrained by teammate Kyle Lowry, coach Nick Nurse, and several assistants. The game against San Antonio marked a challenging season for Embiid, who has been plagued by injuries, suspensions, and setbacks. It was only his eighth appearance this season due to left knee soreness, a suspension stemming from a locker room altercation with a reporter, and a sinus fracture suffered in December. Monday’s matchup was just the fifth time Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey, known as Philadelphia’s Big Three, started a game together.
Wearing a protective mask in just his second game since the sinus fracture, Embiid managed nine points and three rebounds in 14:22 minutes of play, shooting a lackluster 2 for 8. His duel with Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was a far cry from their previous encounter. In their last meeting on January 22, Embiid set a Sixers franchise record with an astounding 70-point performance in a 133-123 victory over the Spurs. On that occasion, Embiid shot 24 of 41 from the field, 21 of 23 from the free-throw line, and added 18 rebounds and five assists. Wembanyama scored 33 points in response.
Despite initially displaying aggressiveness against Wembanyama in the recent game, Embiid struggled to find his rhythm and was eventually called for an offensive foul leading to his ejection. Notably, this was the second ejection by Schroeder in the quarter, with the first one being rescinded later. Earlier in the period, Schroeder ejected Philadelphia’s Andre Drummond for an alleged foul on Wembanyama. However, after video review, Drummond’s ejection was overturned. Additionally, Wembanyama was initially given a technical foul for flopping, but this decision was also reversed after a point was scored, resulting in a reset of the game.
Embiid, a two-time NBA scoring champion, was averaging 22.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game before his ejection on Monday. Philadelphia had a record of 2-5 in the seven games Embiid participated in this season.
