PHILADELPHIA -- Disgust with the officiation left 76ers fans at Wells Fargo Center booing during the chaotic matchup on Monday night against San Antonio when star Joel Embiid was ejected after drawing two quick technical fouls for arguing a charge call.
During the game, Embiid drove toward the basket with purpose as Spurs' Victor Wembanyama attempted to defend. Unfortunately for the 76ers, Embiid was whistled for charging with 2:59 remaining in the first half. Incensed by the call, he immediately protested, earning him a technical foul from referee Jenna Schroeder as he made his way to the bench.
Once near the bench area, Embiid's frustration boiled over. He charged toward the officials and was quickly restrained by teammates Kyle Lowry, coach Nick Nurse, and several assistants, who feared additional penalties. Referee Schroeder issued another technical foul, which led to Embiid's ejection, marking only the second time in his career he has been thrown out of a game.
Notably, during the incident, it was unclear if Embiid made contact with Schroeder, prompting debates among fans who could only rewatch the controversial moment on the big screens. On this night, Embiid played with added difficulty. Wearing a mask, he was only making his second appearance since suffering a sinus fracture, managing to put up nine points and three rebounds over 14:22 minutes of play, shooting just 2-for-8.
This ejection came during what was already a heavily whistle-blown game. Earlier, Andre Drummond of the 76ers received two quick technical fouls for his aggressive defense on Wembanyama, leading to his ejection. Fortunately for Drummond, after video review, the officials rescinded the ejection, allowing him to re-enter the game.
Besides the technical troubles, the officials also assessed Wembanyama with a foul for flopping, which only added to the confusion on the court. Tyrese Maxey capitalized on the flopping assessment by making the technical free throw. Yet, the officials later wiped off the technical, leading to frustrated murmurs and boos echoing through the Wells Fargo Center.
Despite the officiation woes, the Philadelphia fans let their displeasure be known, booing Wembanyama every time he got near the ball. The young Spurs center did manage to perform admirably, finishing the game with 26 points, nine rebounds, and eight blocks.
Despite the tumultuous first half, the game ended on a good note for the Sixers. Tyrese Maxey emerged as the hero, scoring 32 points and helping Philadelphia secure the 111-106 victory. After the game, Embiid returned to the court to celebrate with his teammates, showcasing the bond they have even amid controversies.
The evening was tough for Embiid. Having missed several games this season due to injuries, including knee soreness and his recent sinus fracture, he came back with the hope of re-establishing his rhythm and chemistry with teammates Maxey and Paul George. Yet, the heavy officiation and his ejection muddled those plans for this game.
This match-up against Wembanyama marked the second meeting between the two towering players. Last January, Embiid put those skills on full display, breaking the franchise record by scoring 70 points against the Spurs. That previous encounter was completely different from this one, where he struggled to gain traction.
Nevertheless, the Sixers' fans showed their loyalty even as frustrations mounted. They have strong hopes for the remaining season with Embiid leading their efforts. Even with the struggles and setbacks, the team's resilience was evident as they secured the win, pushing them forward.
