Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid has emerged as a provocative figure in New York following a contentious incident during Thursday night’s NBA playoff game against the Knicks.
In a move that sparked widespread criticism, Embiid was involved in an on-court incident where he apparently pulled on Knicks center Mitchell Robinson’s legs while he was airborne.
The act, seen by many as reckless, led to calls for Embiid’s ejection from the game. However, the officials did not remove him, and Embiid went on to play a key role in the 76ers’ victory in Game 3.
The fallout from the incident extended beyond the basketball court. In an unprecedented move, the Empire State Building took to its official X account to declare that Embiid is no longer welcome to visit the iconic landmark.
Despite the clear video evidence, Embiid has not admitted fault, maintaining that he did not intend to harm Robinson.
This stance has not assuaged the anger of the Knicks players, with guard Donte DiVincenzo labeling the play as “dirty” and forward Josh Hart expressing concerns over the potential for serious injury. Hart noted, “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.”
The tension is set to escalate as the 76ers and Knicks prepare for a crucial Game 4 on Sunday, with both teams and their fans on edge after the recent events.
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