Joel Embiid kicked Nic Claxton near his groin area early in Thursday’s game three at the Barclays Center, as Claxton stepped over Embiid after a putback basket that led to the Sixer star falling on the ground.
Brooklyn head coach Jacque Vaughn clearly took exception to the kick by Embiid, and to the officials’ decision to allow Embiid to stay in the game.
“I don't think I've ever seen that in my career before, for a guy to intentionally kick someone in an area that none of us want to be kicked at, or towards, and for him to continue to play,” Vaughn said. “I've never seen that before in a game, and a guy continues to be able to play. Intentionally.”
Embiid did indeed stay in the game, but Claxton was tossed later in the game for taunting Embiid after a dunk in the fourth quarter.
When the smoke cleared, the Sixers had themselves a 102-97 victory, and a stranglehold on the series in the form of a 3-0 lead.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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