What started like a magical night for Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers turned out to be a nightmare. The team couldn’t keep up with the Boston Celtics, losing Game 3 of their second-round series and going down 1-2.
While Embiid had a big game, dropping 30 points, the rest of the team couldn’t catch up and the Sixers fell 114-102 against the Celtics. Following the game, Embiid said some things about his teammates not supporting him, which raised many eyebrows around the league.
Moreover, Embiid had some complaints with the league, revealing that receiving the MVP award trophy before the game might have put his head in a different place.
“I thought I got into the game and let the game come to me and not force anything, not play off of my emotions, I thought I was fine the whole week,” Embiid said, via the Philly Voice. “I don’t think it affected me, but all this attention I feel like it can be a distraction, and I just feel like this type of stuff [can] happen in another time. You got that whole week between the regular season and the playoffs, right before the playoffs you can do something like that.”
“But can’t take it for granted, wish we would have won tonight it would have made it even better. It’s hard for me to sit in here and kind of think about winning that when you’re down 2-1 and we’re just trying to find ways you can help and win games.”
This is a big honor, one that had Embiid crying when the league announced he was this year’s winner. Obviously, this is great to have after a terrific regular season, but perhaps the ceremony and everything happening around him caused something to him or his teammates that later hurt the team.
Now Philly must be locked in to face Game 4, and if they can’t, the Celtics can go back home with a 3-1 advantage over a hurt rival.
Joel Embiid Sends A Message To James Harden After The Game
Embiid was very vocal after the game and even revealed his tips for James Harden to get a little better next game. Harden only dropped 16 on the Celtics in Game 4, which didn’t sit well with fans. Joel tried to cheer him up while offering advice to get more points.
“I mean, you just talk to him and you keep telling him to keep shooting,” Embiid said. “Be aggressive. Can’t get too high, can’t get too low. Some nights you’re going to make lots of other shots, a lot of tough ones, and some nights you’re not going to make them. So it’s about finding other ways to impact the game.”
This team appeared to be ready to take the next step, but it seems like once again their playoffs demons will win. It’s now or never for the Sixers, who will try to make a statement in Game 4.
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