In a thrilling match, the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the San Antonio Spurs 111-106, despite a tumultuous first half that saw star center Joel Embiid ejected after receiving two quick technical fouls for disputing a charging call. The incident occurred as Embiid collided with rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama on a drive to the basket, prompting the call with 2:59 remaining in the second quarter.
Embiid’s immediate protests led to a technical foul from referee Jenna Schroeder. In a heightened moment, Embiid approached the officiating crew once more and incurred a second technical foul, marking his second career ejection. After the game, crew chief Curtis Blair clarified that there was “incidental contact” between Embiid and the referee, but noted that nothing warranted further punishment.
The night grew even stranger with teammate Andre Drummond facing an initial ejection during the same quarter after a foul on Wembanyama. Following a review, the officials rescinded Drummond’s ejection, attributing the contact to incidental foot placement, and also issued a technical foul to Wembanyama for flopping, only to later retract that call as well.
Despite his limited playtime—recording just nine points and three rebounds in 14 minutes—Embiid was seen in good spirits, celebrating with teammates after the victory. Tyrese Maxey shone for the 76ers, scoring 32 points and stepping up in crucial moments during the game’s final minutes.
This win demonstrates the resilience of the 76ers, overcoming distractions and controversies to secure a victory on their home court. It’s a promising sign for the team’s dynamic, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure, especially as Embiid navigates his return from injury. The future looks bright for both him and the squad as they continue to develop their chemistry on the court.