Joel Embiid: To me, the referees had one job tonight and they got it done

Kyle Neubeck: Joel Embiid’s full comments on the officiating: “I admire the job that they did today. To me, it felt like they had one job coming in here tonight, and they got it done, so congrats to them.” pic.twitter.com/EyHv43jTtX Source: Twitter …

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Embiid said he’s not exactly sure when the thumb injury occurred during Game 3: “It must have been during those physical battles, pushing each other. I think my hand or my finger must have gotten caught in someone’s shirt… – 5:55 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Siakam on those plays with Embiid in the 4th: “I’m a competitor. I love competing. This is the playoffs, the highest level. I’m cool with the talking, I just don’t want those dirty plays. I don’t like that. Keep it basketball… At the end of the day, it’s all fake toughness” – 5:50 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Embiid on the golf claps he gave to the officials at the end of the game: “I’m gonna take my own advice and not complain about fouls…I admire the job that they did today. To me, it felt like they had one job coming in here tonight. And they got it done, so congrats to them.” – 5:45 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Joel Embiid’s full comments on the officiating: “I admire the job that they did today. To me, it felt like they had one job coming in here tonight, and they got it done, so congrats to them.” pic.twitter.com/EyHv43jTtX5:45 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Joel Embiid finished his press conference with his “Africans don’t feel pain” line, but said he most feels his thumb when he’s rebounding, passing and at the free throw line. – 5:44 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Thad Young was asked if he remembers the last time he crossed somebody over like he did Embiid today. He pointed to one of his two young sons, who are here watching his post-game press conference, and said “Yeah, that knucklehead.” – 5:39 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Lots from Joel Embiid’s post-game: Will get an MRI tomorrow but says he “imagines” he’s going to keep playing, thought the officials “did a great job,” talked about Toronto’s double teams.
And finally, when asked about the thumb for an 8th time: “Africans don’t feel pain.” – 5:36 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joel Embiid says he believes he will be able to play through the playoffs and, if the MRI confirms he needs to have a surgical procedure on his thumb, he will do so after the playoffs are over. – 5:32 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Shout out to Thad Young for shouting out Aaron McKie who he says emphasized to his younger self the importance of ‘doing your work early’ on defense. Paid off tonight vs. Embiid. – 5:32 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid reveals he was really sick through the 1st 2 games this series – 5:32 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Thad Young on guarding Embiid: “You see two bears fight before?” – 5:30 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
“You seen two bears fight before?” – Thad Young on guarding Embiid – 5:29 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid said he’s gonna take his own advice and not complain about calls. He did say he was proud of the officials for the job they did today. #Sixers5:28 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid on the officiating: “To me it felt like they had one job coming in here tonight, and they got it done…they did a great job” – 5:28 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid said his thumb is fine, he did add that it’s painful, but he’s gonna battle through it #Sixers5:27 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Embiid says he will get an MRI tomorrow. Thinks the hand impacted him more with passing and rebounding more than anything else – 5:27 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Embiid said he will get his MRI tomorrow. – 5:27 PM
Eric Smith @Eric__Smith
The lengths we go for these #SmithAndJones VLOGS, @Paul Jones! 🤣
Big-time win for the #Raptors. They force a game 5 in Philly.
Siakam, Young, Boucher, Trent & more were great. Solid team win; pestering Embiid all day.
Let’s break it down…
(cc: @FAN590 @Sportsnet #rtz) pic.twitter.com/QNohnXAyt65:24 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Doc Rivers on Joel Embiid playing with his injured thumb: “It’s gonna be something he’s gonna have to deal with throughout the playoffs from this point on. It’s not gonna go away, so he will get better and better at figuring out how to use it.” – 5:10 PM
Tom Moore @TomMoorePhilly
#NBA column: #Sixers are unable able to sweep the #Raptors and Joel Embiid’s thumb is becoming a bigger concern: https://t.co/v6CQkI3m12 #76ers pic.twitter.com/ljA1lwPk1j4:34 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Final: Raptors 110, 76ers 102.
76ers now lead this series 3-1 as it heads back to Philadelphia for Game 5 Monday. Joel Embiid’s ongoing thumb issue, and Fred VanVleet’s hip, loom large moving forward. – 4:31 PM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
dalano stepped on the court and decided to do his best embiid impression – 4:30 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Respectfully, Joel Embiid should take his own advice. – 4:23 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Things are getting real chippy now. Joel Embiid and OG Anunoby got into it. Anunoby got hit with that tech. #Sixers4:23 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
We’ve seen Miami throw so many bodies at Trae Young to bother him
Curious to see the plan on Embiid if that series presented itself
Frustrating him is the key as we see, and Miami has the personnel for that it feels – 4:22 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
I fully understand Joel Embiid is frustrated today, but you can’t do that. That’s just silly. – 4:21 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joel Embiid gets a technical, and Gary Trent Jr. hits Toronto’s 26th free throw of the game. Raptors are 26-32 from the line, Philly is 16-18 – and James Harden has taken 11 of them. Certainly a reversal from earlier in the series, when Toronto was frustrated about FTs. – 4:21 PM
Eric Smith @Eric__Smith
Embiid took a bit of a forearm shot at Siakam…as Pascal called timeout. Play reviewed….
Tech on embiid. Trent hits FT.
Raps up 13 with 3:06 to go – 4:21 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid has been called for a tech. That might do it in this one. #Sixers4:20 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Embiid T’d up. – 4:20 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid pushed Pascal Siakam a bit after the Raptors called timeout and Toronto didn’t like the play. The officials are now reviewing the play. James Harden got in Siakam’s face as well. #Sixers4:19 PM
Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
what is embiid doing? – 4:19 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Refs will review whatever it was Embiid just did. – 4:19 PM
Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
Embiid has been doing some wild stuff to try to piss off his fellow Cameroonian. – 4:19 PM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
gtfo embiid – 4:19 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
GTJ gets the switch of Siakam guarded by Maxey, plenty of time on the clock, Embiid would have been unable to help guarding GTJ, and instead he takes the difficult shot himself over Embiid. – 4:16 PM
Eric Smith @Eric__Smith
Embiid flailing all over. Crowd on him.
Just drew a triple team as I was typing this …and he walked.
Crowd on him
Raps up 11 – 4:15 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Raps go +2 in a very short non-Embiid spurt. – 3:55 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Like last game, Embiid came alive in the third quarter. Like last game, Sixers have been close the whole way but just can’t get a lead. – 3:47 PM
Eric Smith @Eric__Smith
Give him credit…he made shots in q3…but embiid was played so tough by Thad young in q3. Young has been great today.
Raps head to q4 up 3 – 3:46 PM
Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
The @Philadelphia 76ers trail by 3 headed into Q4, 80-77.
Embiid: 16 PTS / 3 REB / 3 AST
Harris: 13 PTS / 10 REB / 2 BLK
Harden: 14 PTS / 3 REB / 8 AST
Maxey: 9 PTS / 6 REB / 6 AST
Niang: 9 PTS – 3:45 PM
Malcolm Miller @MalcMili13
Embiid is a monster in face up mode – 3:40 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Joel Embiid has decided his thumb is fine. – 3:39 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
I’ve had my last 24 hours go kind of sideways (nothing truly bad, but one dumb thing after another), so I’m just sitting down to watch hoops.
Cliff Notes on PHI-TOR?
How does Embiid look? And where is FVV? – 3:34 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
After that turnover by Joel Embiid led to a Gary Trent Jr. dunk, Doc Rivers called timeout and spent a solid minute in an extended conversation with Tyrese Maxey pointing out a few things the coach was clearly unhappy with. – 3:24 PM
Malcolm Miller @MalcMili13
Toronto Doubling Embiid on the flight of the ball. Now it’s a scramble to the shooters. Make them miss. – 3:21 PM
Malcolm Miller @MalcMili13
Embiid has been sealing deeper in the post and making quicker moves on the post up before the double. Early gameplan could be speeding him up – 3:10 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Joel Embiid had been playing like *the* best player in the league. This version today, in this much apparent discomfort with the thumb, isn’t going to cut it if the Sixers want to win another 13 games. #Turninjuriesoff3:10 PM
John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Embiid grabbing his thumb after every play seems suboptimal – 3:04 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Raptors lead 54-49 at half. Combined 33 points from Gary Trent Jr. (17) and Pascal Siakam (16) for Toronto, but the focus for the Raptors will be on whether Fred VanVleet can return from what looked like a flareup of his ongoing knee issues. Joel Embiid had 8 for Philadelphia. – 3:03 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Raps lead 54-49. Embiid is 3-10. Trent has 17, Siakam has 16. Harden and Harris keeping the Sixers in it. – 3:02 PM
Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
54-49 Raptors at the half. A bunch of key players are in pain, including, but not limited to VanVleet, Embiid, Barnes. – 3:02 PM
Eric Smith @Eric__Smith
Embiid misses under the tin / knocked away. Winces. Noticeably in pain and favoring his thumb.
Sixers have battled back from down 12 to cut it to 5 – 3:01 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Embiid was grabbing that thumb in pain after the ball was knocked away under the basket a bit ago. But he’s staying in the game. – 3:00 PM
Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSun
Embiid was either holding his thumb or flexing it from time he missed last shot, to time Anunoby went to free throw line. Even hunched over in pain at one point. – 3:00 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Embiid really holding his thumb after missing the last shot. – 2:59 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joel Embiid is starting to wake up. Couple of nice moves for him to score here late in the second, including that and-one through two defenders. Philly back within five late in the second. – 2:59 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Maxey’s first bucket comes with less than two to play in the first half. He, Embiid and Harden are a combined 7-of-21 and Sixers trail by just five after that And-1 finish by Embiid. – 2:59 PM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
embiid went to get the ball and thad legit backed away to ensure he couldn’t draw a foul – 2:50 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Interesting. Thad Young is on Embiid, at least for now. He’s got experience guarding bigs but hasn’t done it much with the Raps this season. – 2:48 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Embiid is back in the game at the 7:30 mark of the second quarter, with the Sixers trailing 38-32. – 2:46 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Raps will have Thad as primary Embiid defender for a bit. We will see about that! – 2:46 PM
Malcolm Miller @MalcMili13
Higher pick up points, more ball pressure, extending catches. Toronto doing the little things that will get the W. Corner closeouts and contests are the key. They’re fine with Maxey, Embiid, Harden not beating them. Make everyone else take tough shots – 2:45 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Raptors were +6 in Embiid’s 4.5 rest minutes. Much better, and some good stuff from Boucher and Thad Young over that stretch. – 2:45 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Embiid back in. Raps go 14-8 in 4:30 without him. – 2:45 PM
Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Raptors up 6 in the non-Embiid minutes is a must – 2:43 PM
The Ringer @ringernba
Thaddeus Young caught Joel Embiid leaning 😳
(📼 @NBATV)
pic.twitter.com/WUxyvhLmY32:40 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Here comes the Harden-Maxey second-quarter minutes with Embiid on the bench. Might be particularly crucial today, considering Embiid is 0-for-5 to start. – 2:39 PM
Malcolm Miller @MalcMili13
Double Embiid from the nail back to the basket. Full rotate out. Philly sends a cutter to move the nail double. Will probably start to send 2 cutters to give Embiid more time back to the basket. Looks like Toronto is plays solo on the face up – 2:33 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Embiid missed all 5 of his 1st-quarter shots and has 1 point in 11 mins. Thumb MAY be bothering him, but remember, he was quiet in the 1st half the other night before going off in the 2nd, presumably with same thumb injury. The issue for the Raps: non-Embiid Sixers are 5-9 from 3 – 2:31 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
The score was tied at 24 after one quarter. The Sixers shot 36.4% with Embiid going 0-for-5. – 2:31 PM
Eric Smith @Eric__Smith
Tied at 24 at the end of the 1st.
Crowd is more amped than Wednesday (due respect to the Wednesday folks)…hyped by Scottie’s return (& his ROY)…a solid start for Siakam…Embiid’s 1 point in the 1st…and, hey, the need for the 6th man noise in the 3-0 hole.
👍💪🦖 – 2:31 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Sixers 24, Raptors 24 at the end of the first. Sixers shot just 8 of 22 from the floor but went 5 of 10 from deep. Harris has 7 points and 3 rebounds. Embiid is 0-of-5 from the floor and has 1 point and 2 boards. Harden is 2-of-5 from the field (both 3s). – 2:29 PM
Doug Smith @SmithRaps
Very fun quarter as it turns out, 24-24
Siakam’s got 10, Embiid’s missed all five FGAs – 2:28 PM
Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
Thaddeus Young (?) takes down Embiid. pic.twitter.com/QUSfbP5ORE2:28 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
OK, there’s some pop in this gym now after Thad Young sent Embiid to the deck and Harden picked up an offensive foul on a drive to the basket. We’re tied at 24 in the closing seconds of the first. – 2:28 PM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
along with the thumb mri embiid will also get his ankles checked tomorrow – 2:27 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Tough start for Joel Embiid at 0/5 shooting, but Tobias Harris has 7 points and James Harden has 6. #Sixers2:27 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Embiid is shooting 0-5. – 2:26 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Tough start for Embiid: 0-4 from the field on some good looks. Maybe that’s a slow start, maybe that’s a lack of touch with the thumb injury.
Sixers still in a decent spot, though. Harris continues what has been an excellent series for him. – 2:24 PM
Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
People who have learned James Harden’s stepback in the last few weeks:
1. Joel Embiid
2. Tyrese Maxey
3. Tobias Harris
🤣 – 2:20 PM
Rob Peterson @ShotDrJr
Embiid just crunched his injured hand when he smashed into Scottie Barnes. – 2:17 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Barnes picks up Harden at halfcourt and then gets switched on to Embiid. That will test your ankle. – 2:15 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Embiid split a pair of foul shots and has one point. – 2:14 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
They’re still booing Embiid whenever he touches the ball. In five minutes, the big man has one rebound and one missed shot attempt. However, he’s about to go to the foul line after being fouled OG Anunoby. It’s OG’s second. – 2:12 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
1st Joel Embiid touch in the paint results in him being fouled by OG Anunoby on a turnaround jumper #Sixers2:10 PM
Tas Melas @TasMelas
Raptors have won 3 straight opening tips vs Embiid. He’s not too into them. – 2:04 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
More Joel Embiid pregame ….
#Sixers pic.twitter.com/ng0YIVtQNT1:39 PM

Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Before getting some shots up Embiid did a pretty intense dribble series that hurt my thumb watching. His seems fine tho. pic.twitter.com/C9W5j5Y84N1:33 PM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
One more Embiid video from pregame for good measure: pic.twitter.com/zhKiwWjR591:20 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid on corner 3s #Sixers pic.twitter.com/7N3kHekdaB1:18 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Joel Embiid is going through his pregame warmup right now, including shooting 3s with (what appears to be) tape on his hand/thumb. – 1:17 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Some more Joel Embiid work #Sixers pic.twitter.com/3eb8U7vOk61:15 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Joel Embiid is out on the court for his usual pregame shooting routine pregame. He’s got a wrap on his right thumb and is getting up shots and going through his usual routine. – 1:13 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid is preparing for work #Sixers pic.twitter.com/5vVOxuCky61:13 PM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Here’s a look at the tape on Embiid: pic.twitter.com/1ny9FZEXvH1:13 PM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Asked directly if it’s a ligament tear, Doc Rivers said: “Yeah, I mean I’m not sure, but feel like it’s not a great injury. I’m just going to leave it at that.”
Joel Embiid says No way I’m missing Game 4 with a thumb injury, but #Sixers have some concern inquirer.com/sixers/joel-em…12:59 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Doc Rivers provides an update on Joel Embiid amid the news of his injury #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/04/23/six… via @SixersWire12:51 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
These were Doc Rivers’ comments when asked about Joel Embiid’s thumb before today’s Game 4 in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/8VvQcDrjH112:48 PM

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Here’s Doc Rivers on Embiid pregame. “We feel like it’s not a great injury. I’m just going to leave it at that.” pic.twitter.com/xLpXcyIRwr12:46 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Doc Rivers would not reveal anything beyond Joel Embiid’s official injury diagnosis (thumb sprain), but confirmed an MRI will be conducted when the Sixers get back to Philly and added, “I think we already know what it is, to be honest. We’ve just got to make sure.” – 12:45 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Asked directly if Joel Embiid has a ligament tear, #Sixers coach Doc Rivers responded. “It’s not a good injury. I’ll leave it at that.” – 12:40 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Asked directly if Joel Embiid has a ligament tear, coach #Sixers coach Doc Rivers responded. “It’s not a good injury. I’ll leave it at that.” – 12:36 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Doc Rivers says “there’s concern” about Joel Embiid’s thumb, but “it is what it is.” He adds, however, “The one thing we know is it can’t get worse.”
Rivers said it’s likely Embiid gets an MRI when he gets back to Philadelphia but he said the team has a good idea what it is. – 12:34 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Doc Rivers was asked if there’s concern about Joel Embiid’s thumb: “Yeah, there’s some concern. It is what it is.”
Rivers added that they know it’s an injury that can’t get worse by playing. And Embiid will get an MRI in the near future. – 12:34 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Rivers says the Embiid injury can’t get worse. They’ll get an MRI but they think they know what the issue is – 12:33 PM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
Doc Rivers says they believe Embiid’s thumb can’t get worse so no added risk in playing him today – 12:33 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Rivers says regarding the Embiid thumb issue, “The one thing we know, it can’t get worse.” – 12:33 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Doc Rivers says there “is some concern” about Joel Embiid, but they’re not worried about him making it worse today #Sixers12:33 PM
Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Sixers star Joel Embiid intends to play today in Game 4 against the Toronto Raptors, but plans to get an MRI on his right thumb when the team returns to Philadelphia, league sources tell @YahooSports. – 9:46 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Give Em To Me! I want your predictions for Game 4 of the #Sixers vs. #Torontoraptors first-round playoff series. I want the winner, final score and how many points for Embiid, Harden, Siakam and VanVleet. #PhilaUnite    #WeTheNorth    #NBAPlayoffs  #nba #SweepOrNahFlow – 9:16 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Joel Embiid: No way I’m missing Game 4 with a thumb injury inquirer.com/sixers/joel-em… via @phillyinquirer – 8:22 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
76ers’ Embiid reportedly suffering “significant pain” in thumb, listed as “available” for Game 4 nba.nbcsports.com/2022/04/22/76e…8:06 PM
Eric Koreen @ekoreen
Assorted thoughts on Siakam’s postseason struggles and not writing him off, the coverage of the Embiid game-winner and math.
theathletic.com/3266582/2022/0…8:01 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
The Sixers are now saying Joel Embiid will be listed as “available” on the injury report with a right thumb sprain – 6:35 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
The Sixers plan to list Joel Embiid as available with a right thumb sprain for Game 4, team says. – 6:34 PM
Michael Lee @MrMichaelLee
The bad luck stick needs to leave Joel Embiid alone. – 6:31 PM
Jeff Stotts @InStreetClothes
Re: Joel Embiid: When we talk thumb sprains we generally focus on two primary ligaments, the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and the radial collateral ligament (RCL). (1/4) – 6:13 PM

More on this storyline