After getting ejected in the playoffs for the first time in his career, James Harden voiced his disappointment with the officiating following the 76ers’ physical 102–97 Game 3 win over the Nets on Thursday.
Harden, appearing in his 152nd playoff game, was assessed a flagrant 2 foul and ejected after the former MVP elbowed Nets forward Royce O’Neale in the groin area in the third quarter. While discussing the officials’ decision postgame, Harden repeatedly labeled both the foul call and his ejection as “unacceptable” while explaining he felt he made a “natural” move on the play.
“I’m not labeled as a dirty player, I didn’t hit him in the private area,” Harden said. “When somebody is draped on you like that defensively, it’s just a natural basketball reaction. … For a flagrant 2, that’s unacceptable, this is a playoff game.”
