Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden was ejected in the third quarter of Game 3 of Philadelphia’s playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets.
Harden was being guarded by Brooklyn’s Royce O’Neale and gained separation, but a whistle was quickly blown. Harden was given an offensive foul, which immediately went under review.
Upon further review, it was determined that Harden had hit O’Neale in the groin. With that, he was given a Flagrant 2 and was ejected from the game.
James Harden gets a Flagrant 2 (ejection) after a shot to the groin of Royce O'Neale. pic.twitter.com/u9uS4PUCqV
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 21, 2023
Earlier in the game, Philadelphia star Joel Embiid avoided an ejection after a kick near the groin of Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton.
"If it's not the groin, it's very close! It is verrry close!"- Reggie Miller on the Joel Embiid kick pic.twitter.com/HgBwpnBhRI
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 20, 2023
Officiating has long been a controversy in the NBA, particularly in the playoffs.
Knowing that, it was no surprise to see basketball fans flock to Twitter in the moments following Harden’s debatable ejection.
This got James Harden ejected. An absolute joke. pic.twitter.com/m8T4h61eil
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 21, 2023
The refs should have ejected Embiid and given Harden a flagrant 1 and somehow went 0 for 2. Based on prior history, I’m gonna say NBA officiating is still a mess.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 21, 2023
James Harden has been ejected for this, but Embiid wasn’t earlier.
There is 0 consistency across anything in the NBA right now. Officials are just guessing calls.
pic.twitter.com/p9vg9MvFAQ— Guru (@DrGuru_) April 21, 2023
James harden getting ejected for this is utterly ridiculous. The refs are supposed to call the game, not ruin the game!!! pic.twitter.com/9h1XqzGKZI
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) April 21, 2023
Harden ejected for this!? These refs getting out of hand @NBA pic.twitter.com/CdKtQg82Cp
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 21, 2023
They just threw James Harden out of the game. I don’t know what I’m watching anymore. #Sixers #NBA
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) April 21, 2023
It’s laughable James Harden got ejected for this. These knucklehead refs should be ejected instead. pic.twitter.com/EkA7HKqGGm
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) April 21, 2023
Interestingly, Harden’s ejection was not the last of the night in Brooklyn. Shortly after Harden was ejected, Claxton was given a technical foul for taunting. As it was his second technical of the game, he was ejected.
Nic Claxton is ejected after picking up his second technical foul of the game for taunting after dunking on Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/8w89PReCuy
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 21, 2023
Throughout the history of the NBA, a handful of playoff games are remembered not for what any of the players or teams did, but because of how they were officiated. There’s a good chance that Thursday’s game between the 76ers and Nets might fall into that category.
