Recreation 3 of the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets collection within the first spherical of the 2023 NBA Playoffs was at all times going to have large stakes. Philadelphia held a 2-0 collection lead after caring for enterprise at residence, and the Nets felt like they needed to win Recreation 3 in New York to nonetheless have an opportunity at advancing.
The 76ers beat the Nets, 102-97, to take a commanding 3-0 collection lead. Philadelphia’s win got here with loads of drama, with the Sixers having one star get ejected, one other star that possibly ought to have been ejected, and Brooklyn additionally shedding a key starter to ejection.
Issues received bizarre additionally instantly. Only a few minutes into the sport, Mikal Bridges by way of an alley-oop to Nic Claxton. Claxton dunked on MVP front-runner Joel Embiid, after which stepped over him as he laid on the ground. As he did that, Embiid kicked Claxton. Embiid was known as for a flagrant-1 foul, whereas Claxton was given a technical. That may come into play once more later.
Right here’s two completely different angles on Embiid kicking Claxton.
The 76ers star would a star participant ejected later within the sport when Harden received tossed one on what certain looks like one of many softest flagrant-two calls you’ll ever see. With 13 seconds left within the third quarter and the Sixers making an attempt to get again in entrance after blowing the lead, Harden was ejected for a flagrant-2 for extending his arm and possibly making contact along with his defender’s groin.
It’s fairly unbelievable somebody received ejected for this in a playoff sport. Decide for your self with the video right here:
The Nets had an enormous third quarter to take the lead heading into the fourth, and now Harden can be out. The sport would change once more a couple of minutes in a while one other ejection, when Claxton dunked on Embiid after which flexed on him. The refs gave him a technical foul for extreme celebrating, and he was mechanically ejected as a result of it was his second technical on the evening.
Watch Claxton’s ejection right here:
After Claxton’s ejection, the Sixers would shut the sport on a 20-10 run to safe the victory and the 3-0 collection lead.
Harden was nonetheless upset and confused by his ejection after the sport. He mentioned he didn’t even assume he dedicated a foul, not to mention a flagrant-two.
There have been lots of people who thought Embiid ought to have been ejected for the kick. Did the refs do a make-up name on Harden?
Ejecting Nic Claxton for nothing once you didn’t eject Embiid for actually kicking Claxton within the nuts is egregious officiating.
— Colb (@___Colb___) April 21, 2023
They didn’t eject Embiid?? Now we’re gonna have to listen to warriors followers crying all evening
— Hana (@HanaHoops) April 20, 2023
(There’s completely different legal guidelines in numerous states which can be enforced otherwise however thought a kick within the nuts received anybody ejected. Embiid have to be MVP congrats)
— myles brown (@mdotbrown) April 20, 2023
