Joel Embiid dominated with 50 points in the Philadelphia 76ers' victory over the New York Knicks, but his performance was overshadowed by a flagrant foul and a groin strike, leading to an injury for Knicks' Mitchell Robinson. The Empire State Building's Twitter account also joined in on the controversy.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid's 50-point performance in Game 3 of the NBA playoffs against the New York Knicks on Thursday night was a tale of dominance and controversy.
Embiid led the 76ers to a 125-114 victory, tying the series at 2-1, but his night was marked by a questionable flagrant foul in the first quarter and a subsequent groin strike on Knicks' Mitchell Robinson.
Early in the game, Embiid fell to the ground as the Knicks were moving the ball around. As Robinson tried to go up for a shot, Embiid grabbed his legs, causing him to come down awkwardly. Embiid was called for a flagrant foul but was not ejected.
Robinson eventually left the game with an ankle injury, adding to the Knicks' woes. Embiid's questionable actions drew criticism from Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, who sarcastically questioned which of Embiid's fouls the officials had called.
"Which one? The one they called, or the one they didn't call?" Thibodeau asked rhetorically. "Just want to make sure we have clarity on that."
Later in the game, Embiid was seen striking Robinson in the groin when the Knicks center went up for a shot. The incident drew further ire from Knicks fans and media.
The Empire State Building's official Twitter account also got in on the controversy, tweeting that Embiid was "banned" from the iconic landmark.
Despite the controversies, Embiid's performance was undeniable. He shot an impressive 13-of-19 from the field and 19-of-21 from the free-throw line, contributing significantly to the 76ers' victory.
Tyrese Maxey added 25 points for the 76ers, while Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 39 points and 13 assists. Josh Hart chipped in with 20 points.
The Knicks shot 48.9% from the field but were outshot by the 76ers, who shot 54.7%.
New York still leads the series 2-1, and Game 4 is set for Saturday. However, the controversy surrounding Embiid's actions is likely to continue to linger as the series progresses.
Embiid's performance was a reminder of his dominance on the court, but it also highlighted the need for the NBA to address questionable plays and ensure the safety of its players. The incident involving Robinson and the subsequent criticism from Thibodeau and the Empire State Building serve as a wake-up call for the league to maintain fair play and protect its athletes.
