Joel Embiid Ejected Following Referee Confrontation

Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers star and recipient of the 2023 NBA MVP award, was ejected from his team’s 111-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs following an altercation with a referee. Referee Jenna Schroeder issued Embiid his third foul after he charged Victor Wembanyama, causing the French player to fall to the court with two minutes and 59 seconds left in the first half. The 76ers player disputed Schroeder’s ruling and subsequently needed to be held back from the official. He removed his protective face mask and persisted with his objections, which resulted in two technical fouls and his removal from the game. Earlier in the game, Schroeder’s initial decision to eject Philadelphia’s Andre Drummond, who had received two technical fouls after challenging Wembanyama, was reversed. “It was a wild first half,” commented 76ers coach Nick Nurse. Tyrese Maxey contributed 32 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, propelling Philadelphia to their win, while Wembanyama recorded 26 points, nine rebounds, and eight blocked shots. In other NBA action, the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, despite holding a 15-point lead at half-time, were defeated 108-104 by the Orlando Magic. Tristan da Silva led Orlando with 18 points against a Celtics squad that was without Jayson Tatum due to illness. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered an impressive performance, scoring 41 points to guide the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder to a 123-105 victory over the Washington Wizards. NBA results