X

Joel Embiid Ejected for 76ers vs. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs; Disappoints NBA Fans

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVDecember 24, 2024

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 23: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers argues a call with referee Jenna Schroeder #20 during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Wells Fargo Center on December 23, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Embiid was ejected from the game with two technical fouls. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

The showdown between Joel Embiid and Victor Wembanyama was the headline for Monday's NBA slate.

So much for that.

The Philadelphia 76ers big man was ejected in the first half when he was called for an offensive foul when driving on the San Antonio Spurs star. He was upset with the call and argued before being assessed two technical fouls.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

Joel Embiid was FURIOUS after picking up an offensive foul on Wemby 😳<br><br>Embiid was hit with two techs and was ejected 😬 <a href="https://t.co/9rVIGazig1">pic.twitter.com/9rVIGazig1</a>

House of Highlights @HoHighlights

Embiid CRASHED OUT 💀 <a href="https://t.co/iXSgK7jYM5">pic.twitter.com/iXSgK7jYM5</a>

It was an early end to a disappointing night for Embiid.

He finished with nine points and three rebounds on 2-of-8 shooting from the field and 1-of-4 shooting from deep. On the other side was Wembanyama, who had a stunning seven blocks in the first half alone and clearly won the game within the game with the big-man battle.

Social media had plenty of response to Embiid's ejection:

Michael K-B @therealmikekb

Might have been the angriest I've ever seen Embiid.

rivercitykiiid ✨ @rivercitykiiid

my hot take is embiid didn't want the wemby smoke, saw his opportunity to get ejected &amp; took it 🤭

🏁 @Nictheegr8

Embiid got tired of chasing Wemby off the 3 point line and decided to get ejected

E M | SPURS @playoffWembyy

Bs man, wanted to see Embiid vs Wemby and just got robbed

Eddie Mackalicious @eddiemack5

That Embiid and Wemby call was a bang bang play. Could have gone either way.<br><br>Sixers are also 9-17. Trying to get back into the season. Embiid can't be outchere talking crazy to the ref, no matter how much he felt he was right...

Subscribe to the You Know Ball Patreon @TrillBroDude

Now that Embiid has been ejected the Sixers will have played two full games with Maxey. Paul George and Embiid this season. Christmas is in two days.

Spurs Culture @SpursCulture

Sixers fans complaining about flopping when Embiid is on their team is crazy

JeffGSpursKENS5 @JeffGSpursZone

Wembanyama seeing Embiid getting tossed.... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nba?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nba</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/porvida?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#porvida</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sanantonio?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sanantonio</a> <a href="https://t.co/XtuRWV5dlV">pic.twitter.com/XtuRWV5dlV</a>

This is more of the same for the 76ers, who have dealt with injuries and inconsistent performances throughout the campaign. They entered play with an ugly 9-17 record, which is nowhere near where they expected to be at the start of the season.

Instead of battling with the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks and others atop the Eastern Conference standings, they are not even in position to earn a play-in tournament spot.

Having a healthy Embiid available for more of the games as the season progresses should help them climb the standings, as he appeared in just seven of the team's first 26 games.

But being healthy doesn't help much if he's going to get ejected before halftime.