A series of inexplicable events led to the ejection of Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid. Here’s what went down in the Sixers’ wild game against the San Antonio Spurs.
Words cannot do this game justice, but I will give it, as they say, the ol’ college try.
Andre Drummond’s strange journey
With just over eight minutes remaining in the second quarter, Spurs center Victor Wembanyama drew a foul against Andre Drummond that, due to the ball not yet being inbounded, was considered an ‘away from the play’ foul, which is a technical foul.
Following the technical free throw, the Spurs looked to inbound the ball when Victor Wembanyama went flying, leading to another whistle and yet another technical foul—and, thus, Drummond’s ejection. The issue that was clear and present to most at the moment was Drummond’s not finding Wembanyama. The young center pushed off of Drummond to create separation and fell to the floor, tangling feet sure, but not due to illegal contact.
Many were incensed at the moment. Fans, teammates, their head coach, Nick Nurse, and, of course, Andre Drummond. After making those on the Sixers’ side of things made their displeasure known, the officiating crew reviewed the play, overcorrected, and gave the Sixers a technical free throw, which Maxey hit, but then removed the point after deciding they overcorrected.
Schroder would later admit to Sixers head coach Nick Nurse that she ‘f–ked up’ the call.
After the game, Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Keith Pompey spoke with Crew Cheif Curtis Blair.
A second Sixers big man ejected
The most notable call came roughly five minutes after Drummond’s temporary ejection when Joel Embiid was called for another questionable offensive foul. Embiid took issue with the call, which also came from referee Jenna Schroeder, the same official who made the overly eager, questionable call to eject Andre Drummond.
Embiid approached Schroeder, who, instead of de-escalating the situation, as referees are taught, seemingly ignored Embiid, choosing to relay the foul information to the scorer’s table instead. That is certainly a part of their job as officials, but players are allowed to question calls, and again, officials are to at least attempt to de-escalate.
Embiid continued aggressively arguing the call, which led to a technical foul from Schroeder, something perfectly understandable considering the manner in which Embiid chose to argue the call. However, as Schroeder continued to ignore Embiid and he continued to rile himself up, Embiid was then assessed a second technical foul, which is grounds for an automatic ejection. Once ejected, Embiid became incensed by the official’s decision and argued even more passionately.
Here is the complete series of events.
Other notable calls by Schroeder
If the calls against Drummond and Embiid weren’t enough to intense Sixers fans, the questionable calls continued into the second half.
Among several additional questionable calls, the most egregious went against the Sixers’ Geurschon Yabusele, who, after a powerful slam, was assessed a technical foul for hanging on the rim. But was Yabusele on the rim long enough to deserve the tech? Did he pull himself up enough on the rim to earn a technical foul?
You be the judge.
Takeaways from a wild night
There are two biggest takeaways from this officiating circus: one relates to the officials themselves, and the other to Joel Embiid.
Focusing first on the officiating, it can be said plainly and clearly that the job of the officiating crew, especially, but not limited to referee Jenna Schroeder, was extremely poor in this game. It’s important, however, to mention what this does not mean.
What this does not mean is that Schroeder’s poor performance can be chalked up to her sex, which should be obvious but regrettably has already been brought up far too often in relation to this game. The events of this do not indicate the ability or right a woman has to work as a referee in the NBA. Male officials are constantly being berated for their controversial calls, but never based on their sex.
To name two usual suspects, Scott Foster and Tony Brothers are infamous among fans and players to the point that a mild groan can be heard when it’s announced that they will be reffing a game. Schroeder having a bad night behind the whistle is no different than any of her male counterparts, except that it seemingly happens less often for her than other officials.
Many may be surprised to learn, as this is her first notable controversy, that Schroeder has been a full-time referee in the NBA since 2019. Much like an NFL offensive lineman, it can be assumed she has done a fine job as one has not heard her name called often.
Schroeder was terrible in this game, but it is not an indictment of female referees or of Schroeder herself. She simply had a bad night, as many other refs and players do from time to time.
As stated earlier, the second takeaway involves Joel Embiid. While Embiid’s frustrations can certainly be understood, especially in the context of the game, which had been poor up until that point, he undoubtedly has to do a better job of keeping his emotions in check.
Yes, it’s frustrating when the opposing player flops and gets a call their way—imagine that, Joel—but whether or not he truly deserved to be ejected in this game, Embiid is far too important to this Sixers team to put himself in such a position.
Right or wrong, the referees have—almost, apparently—the final say on whether or not a player remains in the game. Many can argue until they’re blue in the face that refs far too often make the game about themselves over the players, and that is often true, but pride cometh before the fall, and Embiid’s actions nearly cost the Sixers a win in this game, something that has been hard to come by for Philadelphia this season.
