What is a Flagrant foul anymore? Philadelphia 76ers stars James Harden and Joel Embiid found out the NBA’s definition of that during Game 3 of their first-round Eastern Conference Playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets Thursday evening.
Early in the game, Embiid received a Flagrant 1 foul after kicking Nets center Nic Claxton. There were some who believe that it should have been a Flagrant 2, disqualifying the likely NBA MVP for the remainder of the game.
As the third quarter was coming to a conclusion with Brooklyn going on a run, James Harden received a Flagrant 2 for this action on Nets forward Royce O’Neale.
It does look like Harden’s elbow made contact with O’Neal’s midsection, but the idea of giving him a Flagrant 2 and ejecting the former NBA MVP from the game was controversial.
This is the continuation of what has been some divisive officiating from the zebras early in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. It’s extended to both conferences.
James Harden finished Game 3 with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting while adding five rebounds and four assists.
Attempting to take a 3-0 series lead, Philadelphia found itself down 80-76 when Harden was ejected late in the third quarter.