New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau was clearly unhappy with the officiating during his team’s Thursday loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers picked up their first win of the series against the Knicks in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup held at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
Embiid erupted for a playoff career-high 50 points in the 125-114 affair. But the reigning MVP also turned himself into public enemy number one among Knicks fans for several questionable plays.
Embiid was called for a Flagrant 1 foul during the first quarter when he grabbed Knicks center Mitchell Robinson by the ankles. The 76ers star was lying on the floor and tried to prevent Robinson from scoring an easy basket.
If this was a reg season game and/or not Embiid – that’s prob and Flagrant 2 and ejection.
Clearly not a basketball play
No room in the game for that https://t.co/blVWqqMCn1
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) April 26, 2024
Thibodeau during his postgame press conference was asked about the flagrant foul against Embiid. The Knicks coach responded by implying that Embiid should have been called for more than just one flagrant.
“Which one? The one [the referees] called, or the one they didn’t call? Just want to make sure we have clarity on that,” said Thibodeau.
Tom Thibodeau on the flagrant foul called on Joel Embiid:
"Which one? The one they called, or the one they didn't call? Just want to make sure we have clarity on that." pic.twitter.com/qlrkqYDWar
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 26, 2024
The “one they didn’t call” that Thibodeau mentioned could have been referring to two different plays.
Embiid was involved in a second incident that hurt Robinson when the 76ers center kicked the Knicks big man in the groin.
Embiid kicks Robinson in the groin…nothing this man does is by accident. pic.twitter.com/JWYR0jAXS2
— KnicksNation (@KnicksNation) April 26, 2024
In another instance, Embiid also appeared to knee Knicks veteran Isaiah Hartenstein in the groin.
The 7-time All-Star was called for an offensive foul on the play but was not called for another flagrant foul, which would have ejected him from the contest.
Offensive on Embiid here pic.twitter.com/VtLytnJgLt
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) April 26, 2024
The Knicks were called for 25 fouls in the contest — seven more than the 76ers. Embiid on Thursday shot more free throws (21) than the entire Knicks roster (19).
