Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers was hit multiple times in the Game 3 of their NBA Playoffs series against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday. The NBA MVP favourite fell, struggled and also injured his back in the first half.
While several social media users laughed off at Embiid falling, some pointed out that Nets coach Jacque Vaughn asked hit players to play rough during Game 3.
Before the game, Vaughn was heard telling his team to “go out there and hit somebody.”
“It’s clear what they are trying to do to Joel Embiid. This is their last resort,” a Twitter user said. The Nets trailed throughout the first half.
Social media users also alleged that Vaughn had a smile on his face when Embiid suffered a back injury and was returning to the locker room.
“Jacque Vaughn is smiling rn this is so dumb they keep grabbing pushing trash talking etc to get embiid in trouble and they have not got called for a foul once and they got embiid in trouble twice with them getting no consequences,” another Twitter user pointed.
In the first quarter, Embiid was given a Flagrant 1 after he kicked Brooklyn center Nic Claxton on his groin. The latter received a technical foul.
Only minutes later, Joel Embiid injured his back. The Sixers star was back soon.
Also read: Embiid kicks Nic Claxton after stepping over him during Nets vs 76ers: Watch
Talking about James Harden, Vaughn emphasised on the Brooklyn star’s chemistry with Embiid.
“He’s figured out how to play with Joel, and they’ve changed from the beginning,” Vaughn told Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire ahead of Game 3.
“You see them play pick-and-roll. What that looks like, still has the ability to make shots which he did the other night versus us high level still playing at this time of the year.”
Embiid has dominated the series so far. He scored 20 points and 19 rebounds in Game 2.
