Referee Tony Brothers explains why Joel Embiid wasn't ejected / News - Basketnews.com

NBA referee Tony Brothers says Joel Embiid wasn't ejected because the contact was unnecessary but not excessive. Meanwhile, James Harden directly hit Royce O'Neale's groin, which was deemed excessive.

Credit: USA Today Sports – Scanpix Credit USA Today Sports – Scanpix

The referees' decision not to eject the Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid but give a Flagrant 2 foul for James Harden in a game against the Brooklyn Nets caused many discussions in the NBA.

Player of the Game EFF 20 Tyrese Maxey Points 25 Accuracy 10-17 Rebounds 3 Assists 3

However, after the game ended, Crew Chief Tony Brothers provided answers for such decisions.

Question: Why was Joel Embiid given a Flagrant foul 1 for kicking Claxton?Brothers:The contact was deemed unnecessary, and based on the point of contact to the leg, it didn't rise to the level of excessive.

Question: So, you deemed it not to go to a [Flagrant foul] 2 based on where the contact was?Brothers:The point of contact dictated that it was only unnecessary contact and not excessive, so yes.

Question:Why was James Harden given a Flagrant 2 for his foul on Royce O’Neale?Brothers:Based on the point of contact directly to the groin, it rose to the level of excessive ejection.

Harden was thrown out for hitting a Brooklyn player in the groin area after Embiid dodged an ejection for a kick near the same spot of another player Thursday night in a tense Game 3 of the playoffs between the Philadelphia 76ers and Nets.

Harden was dribbling while defended closely by Royce O'Neale when he swung out his arm and hit O'Neale, who fell to the court in pain. Referees reviewed the play and called Harden for a Flagrant foul 2, an automatic ejection.

Two quarters earlier, the 76ers were perhaps lucky the same penalty wasn't given to Embiid.

He was given only a flagrant 1 after kicking his leg up toward Nets center Nic Claxton's groin.

Claxton had just dunked, and Embiid fell to the court after fouling him. Claxton then slowly stepped over Embiid, who kicked up his leg before players from both teams rushed in.

After a video review, Embiid was given a Flagrant foul 1. Nets fans booed after the decision, angry that the two-time scoring champion was not thrown out.

Golden State's Draymond Green was ejectedfrom Game 2, then suspended for Game 3, of the Warriors' series against Sacramento after stepping on Kings center Domantas Sabonis.

Claxton was given a technical foul for stepping over Embiid.

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