Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid angrily confronted referee Jenna Schroeder when he was ejected in the first half of Monday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs for two technical fouls.
Schroeder ejected Embiid with 2:59 left in the second quarter. The seven-time All-Star received the first technical for arguing with Schroeder over a foul called on Victor Wembanyama, and received another technical (and ejection) from her before more playing time had elapsed.
Embiid appeared about to confront Schroeder, but it was unclear from replays whether he made contact with the referee. Certain angles seemed to show her face making contact with her hands and she was indicating her decision.
An enraged Embiid then charged at the referees after the ejection and was stopped by teammate Kyle Lowry, coach Nick Nurse and several assistants in astonishing scenes.
NBA broadcaster Stephanie Ready criticized Embiid’s conduct while speaking on the television replay, saying, “It’s a foul (on Wembanyama), in every way.” You can see that he is arguing, she is trying to calmly discuss it and he leaves.
‘Technical foul, and now look. He walks over and approaches her as if he wants to have a physical confrontation, which I have a problem with. You have to contain it. Now he’s out of the game. I have a lot to say, as a woman.’
Joel Embiid yelled at NBA referee Jenna Schroeder when he was ejected from a 76ers game
An enraged Embiid charged the officials after the ejection and was restrained.
Schroeder is seen raising his hands and trying to walk away as Embiid explodes
Embiid faced swift and immediate criticism from analysts and fans for his shocking behavior.
Embiid didn’t seem too sorry for his late-game behavior as he returned to the court to celebrate his team beating the Spurs 111-106.
Schroeder, 39, has been an NBA referee for four seasons and officiated more than 100 games, according to the NBA referees website.
It’s been a difficult season for Embiid, one of the most talented players in the NBA.
He was playing in just his eighth game of the season and missed many due to a sore left knee that Philadelphia fans have mocked him for. He also missed three games following a suspension for an altercation with a reporter in the locker room and another following a sinus fracture suffered on December 10.
Monday’s game marked just the fifth time Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia’s Big Three, were in the starting lineup together.
Wearing a mask while playing in just his second game since suffering a sinus fracture, Embiid scored nine points and three rebounds in 14:22, going 2 for 8. This matchup against Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was a far cry from first confrontation between the 7 feet.
On January 22, Embiid set a Sixers franchise record with 70 points in a 133-123 victory over the Spurs in Philadelphia. In that game, Embiid made 24 of 41 field goals and 21 of 23 free throws, and added 18 rebounds and five assists. Wembanyama scored 33 points in the first matchup.
On Monday, Embiid went straight for Wembanyama early on, showing the same aggressiveness as in their initial meeting. However, the Sixers star looked rusty for most of his brief stay. Just before the ejection, Embiid was called for an offensive foul, which led to his altercation with Schroeder.
Embiid returned to the court to celebrate with his team that they finally won the game.
Embiid’s outburst was unleashed when he received a penalty for a foul on Victor Wembanyama.
Embiid exploded at Schroeder’s call in scenes that shocked the basketball world on Monday.
It was Schroeder’s second ejection of the quarter, although the first was overturned.
With 8:13 left in the period, Schroeder ejected Philadelphia’s Andre Drummond for an apparent foul on Wembanyama.
However, after review of the video, officials overturned the expulsion. Then, Wembanyama was initially charged with a technical foul for falling. Maxey shot and made a free throw and the point went on the scoreboard, only for the referees to overturn the technique, take away the point and restart the game.
Embiid, a two-time NBA scoring champion, came in averaging 22.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists. Philadelphia went 2-5 in the seven games in which they played.