The New York Knicks expressed disapproval over the flagrant foul committed by Philadelphia 76ers’ star Joel Embiid on Knicks center Mitchell Robinson during the first quarter of Philadelphia’s 125-114 Game 3 victory, labeling it as “unsavoury” and remarking that Robinson was fortunate to escape serious injury.
In the first half, Embiid committed three notable fouls. In the first quarter, Embiid received an offensive foul for an apparent contact to Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein’s groin. Subsequently, in the second quarter, Embiid’s leg made unnecessary contact with New York’s other center, Mitchell Robinson, during a shot attempt, again in the groin area.
Third controversial Embiid play of the night pic.twitter.com/vyYv01Q8h6
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) April 26, 2024
Those plays, however, paled in comparison to another foul Embiid committed against Robinson. When the play came with 4:34 in the first quarter, Embiid was knocked down by OG Anunoby near the basket. Anunoby passed the ball to Robinson, but Embiid, from the ground, grabbed Robinson’s leg and pulled him down to ground as well.
Should Joel Embiid have been ejected for this?
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) April 26, 2024
Ultimately, crew chief Zach Zarba determined it to be a Flagrant 1 foul. In a pool report following the game, Zarba stated that there was a unanimous decision among the three officials officiating the game—Zarba, James Williams, and Kevin Cutler—along with input from the replay center, concurring that it warranted a Flagrant 1 classification.
“It was dirty,” commented Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo. “It was dirty.”
“I mean, we’re just happy Mitch didn’t get a serious injury on that,” added Knicks forward Josh Hart. “I’m all for tough fouls, tough playoff fouls, but that’s something that can put a guy out for a significant amount of time. So we’re lucky he didn’t get seriously hurt during that time.”
Embiid, addressing the incident post-game, mentioned recalling a previous injury when Jonathan Kuminga fell on him, leading to a meniscus injury. He stated, “It was unfortunate. I didn’t mean to hurt anybody. I just … in those situations I gotta protect myself, because I’ve been in way too many situations where I’m always the recipient of the bad end of it. So yeah, it was unfortunate, but physical game. They want to bring the physicality. We can be physical too, and we are. So it goes both ways. I get bumped all over the place, and I just keep playing and I’m not going to take it. I gotta keep my mind and make sure that I don’t get outside myself. But yeah, I just gotta keep being myself, being aggressive and physical.”
Robinson, who was questionable coming into the game with left ankle injury management — the same ankle he had surgery on earlier this season — fell to the ground. And as the game went on his movement steadily got worse, to the point where he eventually was ruled out after halftime with a left ankle sprain.
Asked about the flagrant foul post-game, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau quipped, “Which one? The one they called, or the one they didn’t call? Just want to make sure we have clarity on that.”
The Knicks now face uncertainty regarding Robinson’s availability for the remainder of the series, crucial as he and Hartenstein attempt to contain Embiid, who achieved a playoff career-high 50 points.
“It’s always difficult when he’s out,” Hartenstein said of Robinson, who didn’t speak to reporters. “I think together we’re probably the best center duo in the league right now. So when he’s out it’s a little frustrating, especially because I was in foul trouble. So I think Precious [Achiuwa] came in and did a good job. We just have to do a better job and be more physical.”
