Joel Embiid went viral on Thursday. During the Philadelphia 76ers win over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series, he could be seen pulling on Mitchell Robinson’s leg as the Knicks big man went up for a rebound. The play was clearly a non-basketball action and could have injured Mitchell.
During a Friday morning appearance on FanDuel TV’s “Run it Back,” former Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley shared his thoughts on Embiid’s actions.
“I ain’t trying to get fined,” Quickley said. “…If that was anybody else, I don’t know if he’d get the same call.”
Embiid is viewed as a player who gets a favorable whistle from the game officials. His actions against Robinson were egregious enough to warrant an ejection, regardless of the game being a make-or-break contest for the Sixers. You cannot endanger another player out of frustration.
Nevertheless, Embiid was allowed to remain in the game and the Sixers went on to secure their first win of the series, much to the chagrin of Knicks fans. Quickley may have some bias to his thought process. He started the season on Tom Thibodeau’s team before being traded to the Toronto Raptors as part of a deal that sent OG Anunoby to the Big Apple.
New York and Philadelphia will face off again in Game 4 on Sunday. If the Knicks win, they will be in total control of the series. Embiid’s actions will undoubtedly provide some additional motivation for Robinson and his teammates. And if Embiid is involved in a dangerous play like the one on Thursday, the officials must step in and reprimand him. Otherwise, they would be setting a worrying precedent for the rest of the league.
Still, the matchup between these two Eastern Conference giants is living up to its billing as one of the premier matchups of the opening round. There’s a chance this series could go seven games. A lot will depend on Embiid’s health and availability. The last thing the Sixers need is for their star player to get himself suspended.