Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid angrily confronted female referee Jenna Schroeder as he was ejected in the first half of Monday night’s game against San Antonio after picking up two technical fouls.
Schroeder ejected Embiid with 2:59 left in the second quarter. The seven-time All-Star was given the first technical for arguing with Schroeder, and received another technical (and ejection) from her before any more playing time had elapsed.
Embiid appeared to be about to face Schroeder, but it was not clear from the replays whether he had contacted the referee. On certain repetitions it seemed as if his face made contact with her hands and she indicated her decision.
An irate Embiid then charged at the officials after the ejection and was restrained in astonishing scenes by teammate Kyle Lowry, coach Nick Nurse and several assistants.
NBA announcer Stephanie Ready denounced Embiid’s behavior while talking about the televised replay, saying, “It’s a foul on every level.” You can tell he disputes it, she tries to discuss it calmly and he leaves.
‘Technical error, and now look. He approaches her and steps towards her as if he wants to have a physical confrontation, which I have a problem with. He must be stopped. He’s out of the game now. As a woman I have a lot to say.’
Joel Embiid yelled at NBA referee Jenna Schroeder as he was ejected from a 76ers game
An enraged Embiid charged at the officials after the eviction and was restrained
It would be hard to see Schroeder holding her hands up and trying to step away when Embiid erupted
Embiid received quick and immediate criticism from analysts and fans for his shock behavior
Embiid didn’t seem to regret his behavior late in the game as he returned to the court to celebrate his team beating the Spurs 111-106.
Schroeder, 39, has been an NBA referee for four seasons and has officiated in more than 100 games, according to the NBA’s refereeing website.
It’s been a rough season for Embiid, one of the NBA’s most talented players.
He played in only his eighth game of the season and missed many due to left knee soreness that Philadelphia fans have mocked him for. He also missed three games following a suspension for an altercation with a reporter in the locker room and another for a sinus fracture suffered on December 10.
Monday’s game marked only the fifth time that Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia’s Big Three, have been in the starting lineup together.
Wearing a mask while playing in his second game since suffering a sinus fracture, Embiid had nine points and three rebounds in 14:22, shooting 2 for 8. This match against Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was a far cry from the first match between the 7-footers.
On January 22, Embiid set a Sixers franchise record with 70 points in a 133–123 win over the Spurs in Philadelphia. In that game, Embiid made 24 of 41 field goals and 21 of 23 free throws, and added 18 rebounds and five assists. Wembanyama scored 33 points in the first match.
On Monday, Embiid went straight to Wembanyama early on and showed the same aggressiveness as in their first meeting. However, the Sixers star looked rusty for most of his shortened stay. Just before the ejection, Embiid was whistled for an offensive foul, leading to his altercation with Schroeder.
It was Schroeder’s second ejection of the quarter, although the first was rescinded.
With 8:13 left in the period, Schroeder ejected Philadelphia’s Andre Drummond for an apparent foul at Wembanyama.
However, after video review, officials withdrew the eviction. They then initially assessed Wembanyama a technical foul for flopping. Maxey shot and made a free throw and the point went on the scoreboard, only for the officials to revoke the technical withdrawal, remove the point and resume play.
Embiid, a two-time NBA scoring champion, came in averaging 22.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists. Philadelphia was 2-5 in the seven games he played in.