Joel Embiid’s latest Sixers outing didn’t last long.
Philadelphia’s supernova only recently returned to the floor after sustaining a sinus fracture, but in his second game back in action against the Spurs, Embiid was swiftly sent to the showers.
The 76ers big man picked up two technical fouls in quick succession after a verbal dust-up with a referee.
Tyrese Maxey’s late-game outburst pushed Philly to a 111-106 win, but the nature of Embiid’s harangue — and the circumstances that preceded it — took social media by storm. It also had some wondering if Embiid’s ejection is the only bit of punishment he’ll receive.
With that, here’s the latest on Embiid’s status — including whether he’ll face suspension for his latest antics.
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Will Joel Embiid be suspended?
Everything’s up in the air regarding Embiid’s status — and whether he’ll be handed a temporary ban for his actions on Monday night.
Referee Jenna Schroeder handed Embiid his second career ejection in the 2:59 mark of the second quarter, issuing two technical fouls on the Sixers big man after he took exception with an offensive foul call.
Embiid drove on Victor Wembanyama, clipping the Spurs standout as he attempted to get to the cup. Schroeder flagged Embiid for the charge, a call that left the former MVP bemused, among other things.
MORE: Joel Embiid tossed, Andre Drummond ‘unejected’ after calls against Victor Wembanyama
Embiid swiftly stepped to Schroeder for clarification on her decision. After a brief discussion, tempers flared, with Embiid growing visibly aggravated.
Joel Embiid was FURIOUS after picking up an offensive foul on Wemby 😳
Embiid was hit with two techs and was ejected 😬 pic.twitter.com/9rVIGazig1
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 24, 2024
He flailed his arms and appeared to fire choice language at Schroeder as she attempted to walk down the floor. Players and team personnel blocked off Embiid from further remonstrating with Schroeder after he received his second tech. Embiid, meanwhile, continued his tirade, ripping off his face mask and throwing it onto the floor before disappearing into the tunnel.
Crew chief Curtis Blair explained that while Embiid made slight contact with Schroeder, it was deemed “incidental.” His ejection stemmed from two “unsportsmanlike technical fouls.”
MORE: Joel Embiid injury timeline
That could spare Embiid from suspension. The league has traditionally come down hard on players who have intentionally made contact with referees. In 2019, then-Cavaliers guard Kevin Porter Jr. was given a one-game ban for brushing an official’s shoulders and knocking him off balance. Dejounte Murray received the same punishment in the 2023 playoffs after bumping into an official at the end of Game 4 of the Hawks’ first-round series against the Celtics.
Assuming the league office sides with Blair’s view on the matter, Embiid should be able to avoid the ban due to incidental contact. That’s not to say he won’t receive it for the nature of his rant, however.
By and large, polemics directed toward officials — be that on the court or the podium — prompt fines, not suspensions, from the league office. Houston’s Fred VanVleet had to write a $50,000 check after nearly poking a referee in the face and calling him a “b—” after being ejected earlier in the year, while Anthony Edwards was fined $75,000 for criticizing two referees after the Timberwolves fell 113-103 to the Warriors on Dec. 21.
Only time will tell what further punishment awaits Embiid, but one way or another, expect him to face a sizable loss of revenue — be that from a suspended game check or a fine.
