The Philadelphia 76ers lived to fight another day with a Game 4 win over the Boston Celtics and, after the final buzzer, Joel Embiid was upbeat during an appearance on the podium. However, the always entertaining big man engaged in a scuffle with Celtics guard Terry Rozier during the second quarter and, predictably, that was a point of emphasis.
Rozier and Embiid going at it 👀 https://t.co/ZOJYHCtuN9
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) May 7, 2018
In addressing the incident, Embiid stayed on-brand in taking a shot at Rozier’s height and questioning why there was a double technical assessed for his actions on the play.
Sixers' Joel Embiid on confrontation w/ Celtics' Terry Rozier: ""He tried to punch me twice. Too bad he's so short he couldn't get to my face. I didn't understand why it was a double technical." pic.twitter.com/ABdaetgeqM
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 8, 2018
Embiid asserted that it was “too bad (Rozier) was so short” that he couldn’t reach his face during the kerfuffle and that is a perfect encapsulation of what everyone would imagine Philly’s cornerstone center would say. In response, Rozier took something of a high road, downplaying the incident altogether and reminding everyone that he isn’t worried about Embiid or anyone else.
Terry Rozier on his dustup with Joel Embiid: "To set the record straight, I wake up every morning not worried about nobody, no man on this Earth. We were out there having fun. It’s just part of a basketball game. That’s all it is."
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) May 8, 2018
After the incident took place, the Sixers took control of the action and, even if Embiid wasn’t necessarily the centerpiece of the discussion on a night featuring breakout games from T.J. McConnell and Dario Saric, he is always seemingly involved.
Rozier and Embiid will have the opportunity to get back together in Game 5 back in Boston and, given the swagger exemplified by both players, it wouldn’t be a surprise if there are words (or more) exchanged in the next contest.
