Joel Embiid wasn't impressed with the officiating during the Philadelphia 76ers' Game 6 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
"I just felt like it wasn't called both ways, especially because of the minimal contact that they get on the point guard, and when it comes to us, we don't get the same thing," the 76ers center told reporters, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "So I just want it called both ways. If you're going to call something like nothing on their point guard, it should be the same way and call the same thing (for) me when I get - if I get - touched."
Embiid pointed specifically to an altercation with Hawks forward John Collins in the fourth quarter. After Embiid was called for an offensive foul on Collins during a layup attempt, the two big men exchanged words while on the ground before going face to face behind the stanchion.
Joel Embiid and John Collins in each other's faces late in the fourth. pic.twitter.com/vJooBJD8Ea
— ESPN (@espn) June 19, 2021
The two received technical fouls following a video review. However, Embid believes his tech should have been assessed to Hawks guard Trae Young, whom he says pushed him from behind during the incident.
"I got a tech for it, and I didn't think it was an offensive foul," Embiid said. "I was just trying to stay calm and have my hands up. And someone was pushing me from the back, and I don't understand why I got a tech.
"But I guess it is what it is. I was hacked all night, and I don't think I was on the free-throw line until I got to the fourth quarter and all that stuff. So it was questionable, but we got the win. That's all that matters."
Embiid, who's playing with a partially torn meniscus in his knee, finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks in 38 minutes as the 76ers staved off elimination. Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday in Philadelphia.
