Joel Embiid elbowed Jalen Brunson in the face for no reason during Sunday’s playoff game in Philadelphia. The NBA referees did not blow the whistle or issue a foul.
It somehow was not called.
Josh Hart was called for a foul on a similar play just seconds (if that) later. There was a clear contrast in how the two elbows were officiated. One was dirty, one was not. The latter went unchecked.
Both incidents occurred on the same play with just under 10 minutes left in the third quarter of Game 4. Brunson passed the ball off and ran through the lane. Embiid was there waiting for him with a hard bump. Philadelphia’s big caught New York’s point guard in the face. It was avoidable.
Meanwhile, Kyle Lowry tried to lock down Hart just beyond the three-point line. When the Knicks’ shooting guard swung up to try and create space, he caught the 76ers’ point guard in the face. It was an accident that could not be avoided.
DOUBLE ELBOWS: Joel Embiid elbows Jalen Brunson in the face (no foul), then Josh Hart swings up & hits Kyle Lowry in the face with an elbow (standard foul, no technical).
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) April 28, 2024
Thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/rBQ2V7cTRY
Hart was issued a standard foul after it was reviewed as a technical. Embiid did not even get a warning.
Brunson even called him out during the next stoppage of play. He could be seen mouthing “what was that for?” while mimicking the elbow.
— . (@perryoragentp_) April 28, 2024
Officiating throughout this entire Eastern Conference First Round series has been poor. Both teams have benefited from bad calls. An NBA referee is not the poster child for consistency.
However, with that being said, it was ridiculous that Hart was issued a foul for a bang-bang play while Joel Embiid got away with a clear dirty shot to the head. There is no reason that should happen.
At the very least, if one is a foul, as is the other. We can either call them both or play on.