TOM THIBODEAU ON THE FLAGRANT FOUL CALLED ON JOEL EMBIID: "WHICH ONE? THE ONE THAT THEY CALLED, OR THE ONE THEY DIDN'T CALL?"
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks on Thursday night in Game 3 of their first-round playoff matchup. Led by Joel Embiid's playoff career-high 50 points, the Sixers cut the series deficit to 2-1. Still, the story of the game was Flagrant Foul 1 called on the superstar big man.
When New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau was asked about it after the game, he replied, "Which one? The one that they called, or the one they didn't call. I just wanted to make sure we have clarity on that."
Embiid left Robinson with a sprained ankle
Thibs referenced the incident when Embiid pulled down Knicks center Mitchell Robinson to the ground after grabbing his leg. Robinson managed to play the rest of the first half but with a visible limp. The 26-year-old did not play in the second half after he was diagnosed with a left ankle sprain and left the arena in a walking boot.
However, that wasn't the only (potential) Flagrant Foul Joel committed in the game. In the first quarter, he hit Knicks center Isaiah Hartentstein with a groin shot, but the referees called it a plain offensive foul. In the second period, Embiid swung his leg recklessly and hit Robinson in the groin on a made basket. No foul was called on that play.
"I mean, we're just happy Mitch didn't get a serious injury on that," Knicks forward Josh Hart added. "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."
Robinson is important for the Knicks
Robinson was off to a solid start this season but suffered a serious ankle injury in December. He underwent surgery and did not return until late March. The 7-footer played a big role in limiting Embiid in Game 1, which the Knicks won 111-104. It will be hard for New York to compensate for his absence if he is out again.
"It's always difficult when he's out," Hartenstein said of Robinson. "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."
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday, with the Sixers looking to tie the series in front of their home crowd. But after yesterday's physical Game 3, things got even more heated between the two rivals.
2024-04-26T09:31:20Z dg43tfdfdgfd