In an NBA playoffs that’s already seen its fair share of heated moments, Joel Embiid and Nic Claxton added another to the ledger on Thursday night.
Early in Game 3 of the 76ers’ first-round playoff showdown against the Nets, Claxton sent home a lob dunk and then stepped over Embiid, who had fallen to the ground while attempting to defend. The MVP finalist took exception and lashed out with his leg, kicking at the Nets center from below.
Officials issued Embiid a Flagrant 1 foul, but unlike Warriors forward Draymond Green on Tuesday night versus Sacramento, he was not ejected for the kick. On the flip side, Claxton was also slapped with a technical foul for the step-over.
Embiid kicks Claxton after trying to step over him pic.twitter.com/l23qaOFvHV
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 20, 2023
With Philadelphia leading the series 2–0 and Embiid having fared well the first two games, Brooklyn needed some sort of spark. If anything, Claxton seems to have at least gotten into the head of the Sixers’ outspoken big man.
