On Wednesday night, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was assessed a flagrant foul for kicking Brooklyn Nets center Jarrett Allen in the groin area. The incident occurred during the second quarter of the game, when Embiid attempted to box out Allen and his foot made contact with Allen’s groin.
The referees reviewed the play and determined that Embiid’s action was intentional, so they issued him a flagrant foul. However, they did not eject him from the game.
The decision to not eject Embiid has been met with mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike. Some argue that Embiid should have been ejected for such a dangerous and unsportsmanlike act. Others believe that the referees made the right call by issuing a flagrant foul but not ejecting him, as it was an unintentional act.
Embiid himself has apologized for the incident, saying that he was just trying to box out Allen and that he did not mean to kick him in the groin. He also said that he has “the utmost respect” for Allen and that he hopes he is okay.
The incident serves as a reminder that physical play is part of the game of basketball, but that it should always be done in a safe and respectful manner. It is important for players to understand that their actions on the court can have serious consequences and that they should always be aware of their surroundings.
Overall, while Embiid’s kick was certainly an unfortunate incident, it is encouraging to see that the referees took the time to review the play and make a decision that was fair to both players. Hopefully, this incident will serve as a reminder to all players to be mindful of their actions on the court and to always respect their opponents.
