Joel Embiid made headlines Tuesday night, but not for the reasonsSixers fans might have hoped. During Philadelphia’s 111-106 win over the San Antonio Spurs, the star center was ejected in the second quarter after an emotional outburst directed at a female referee. The incident unfolded after Embiid was called for an offensive charge against Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama, a call that sent the reigning MVP into a frenzy.
The pivotal moment occurred when Embiid, wearing his now-iconic black mask following an orbital fracture, charged into Wembanyama in the paint. When the referee called a charging foul, Embiid erupted, flailing his arms and berating the official in a tirade that lasted long enough for his teammates to intervene. Two quick technical fouls were issued, and Embiid’s night was over just 14 minutes into the game.
Embiid Fires Back: 76ers Star Denies Lack of Effort
The ejection ignited a firestorm on social media. Some fans criticized Embiid for targeting a female referee with his verbal outburst, accusing him of unsportsmanlike conduct. “This was embarrassing for Embiid-especially yelling at a female ref,” one fan tweeted. Others, however, defended the Sixers star, arguing that the charging call was soft and suggesting the official may have overreacted.
Embiid’s performance prior to the ejection was far from his usual dominance. In his second game back from injury, he managed just nine points on 2-of-8 shooting and grabbed three rebounds. While his frustration with the call might be understandable given his lackluster showing, his actions left his team shorthanded in a crucial stretch of the game.
Sixers find a way
Despite Embiid’s absence, the Sixers rallied behind Andre Drummond and Tyrese Maxey to secure the win. Drummond stepped up with 12 rebounds and three blocks, while Maxey added 25 points to keep the Spurs at bay.
This isn’t the first time Embiid has been accused of letting his emotions get the better of him. Critics have long labeled him a “diva” for his fiery demeanor, but Tuesday’s display could further fuel those allegations.
As the Sixers push for playoff positioning, Embiid’s ejection serves as a reminder of the fine line between passion and self-destruction. With the team relying heavily on their superstar, cooler heads must prevail.
