Joel Embiid stomped on Grant Williams’ head on accident, however each confirmed love afterward

The Boston Celtics earned a hard-fought 114-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night time in Recreation 3 of their second spherical matchup to take a 2-1 collection lead. The win got here with one main battle scar, although. Halfway by way of the fourth quarter, NBA MVP Joel Embiid by chance stomped on the top of Celtics ahead Grant Williams throughout a battle for a unfastened ball. In some way, Williams was okay, and was capable of joke about it after the sport.

Embiid misplaced his steadiness as Williams and teammate Jaylen Brown drove for a unfastened ball. Embiid’s foot landed proper on Williams’ head. That needed to harm: Embiid is conservatively listed at 7-foot, 280 kilos. It’s a miracle that Williams was capable of shake it off and keep within the recreation. Watch the play right here:

That is after all not the primary stomp of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Draymond Inexperienced stomped on the chest of Domantas Sabonis throughout the first spherical collection between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. Inexperienced was ejected and ultimately suspended, however the large distinction between the 2 stomps is that Inexperienced’s was deemed intentional by the league. Embiid remained within the recreation and won’t face self-discipline from the league.

Embiid apologized to Williams after the play. “It’s the playoffs, brother,” Williams stated as Embiid defined how he fell. “That is what we battle for.”

Williams spoke to reporters in regards to the second after the sport:

“I used to be like, dang, I actually acquired curb stomped!” Williams instructed The Athletic. “I acquired curb stomped a little bit bit, but it surely wasn’t intentional. It’s the playoffs, so that you count on battles like this. You count on to bleed, you count on to be elbowed. It’s nothing new. So for me, it was identical to, get me again into the sport as quickly as potential.”

Jaylen Brown known as it the craziest factor he’s ever seen on a basketball court docket.

“After I noticed Grant get his head stepped on by a 300-pound particular person, to see that stay was loopy,” Brown stated. “Seeing that in actual time, it was most likely the craziest factor I’ve seen on a basketball court docket.”

The Celtics managed Recreation 3 all through the second half, and have now received each video games Embiid has performed in throughout this collection. The Sixers earned a surprising Recreation 1 with Embiid injured to start the collection. Embiid completed with 30 factors, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

Williams, in the meantime, has grow to be an essential piece for the Celtics after being out of the rotation earlier within the playoffs. Williams performed 29 minutes within the Recreation 2 win, and 23 minutes within the Recreation 3 win. He solely performed 4 minutes in Boston’s Recreation 1 loss.

Philly has to get James Harden going. After a forty five level masterpiece in Recreation 1, Harden shot 2-of-14 from the sphere in Recreation 2, and 3-of-14 from the sphere in Recreation 3.