Sixers’ Joel Embiid Crashes Into Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, Ejected For Arguing

December 23, 2024

Joel Embiid’s return to the floor took another strange turn on Monday night, and it didn’t go the way the Philadelphia 76ers had hoped.

In just his second game back from a sinus fracture, Embiid’s frustrations boiled over late in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs.

What started as a typical drive to the basket turned into a full-blown meltdown, one that saw the 30-year-old center ejected in a flash.

It all went down with just seconds left before halftime. Embiid, trying to assert himself against the Spurs’ rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, drove hard to the basket and crashed into the 7-foot-4 phenom at the free-throw line.

Wembanyama, despite the contact, drew the charge, and that’s when Embiid completely lost it. The reigning MVP jumped up, yelling at the official, and before long, the first technical foul was assessed.

But Embiid wasn’t done. He continued to voice his displeasure, earning a second technical and an automatic ejection. It took multiple teammates and assistant coaches to hold him back as he raged at the referee, refusing to back down.

Embiid’s night was cut short just after 14 minutes of play, finishing with a lackluster nine points, three rebounds, and a woeful 2-of-8 shooting performance. Not exactly the kind of impact Philly was hoping for after his return from injury.

This was Embiid’s second game since returning from a sinus fracture that kept him sidelined for a chunk of the season.

It had been a tumultuous start to the year for Embiid, with a knee injury and a suspension for an off-court incident also contributing to his limited appearances.

Meanwhile, Wembanyama continues to impress with his defensive prowess—posting nine points and seven blocks at halftime.

And as if Embiid’s frustrations weren’t enough, there was a bit of drama on the other side too. Spurs’ big man Andre Drummond got into it with Wembanyama earlier in the second quarter.

Drummond shoved the rookie and earned a technical, though a second tech was rescinded after review. A back-and-forth game was becoming a war of attrition—one that saw the 76ers barely hanging on to a 48-45 lead at the break.

(This story will be updated once the game concludes.)