Nets’ Jacque Vaughn Couldn’t Believe Joel Embiid Stayed in Game 3

Jacque Vaughn and the Brooklyn Nets had a clear game plan going into Game 3 against the Philadelphia 76ers; get physical. Before the game, Vaughn noted that his team needed to make a statement physically in order to give themselves the best chance of getting their first win.

Brooklyn’s physicality had a mental effect on the Sixers and nearly allowed the Nets to face a Joel Embiid-less Sixers team for more than three quarters.

A few minutes into Thursday’s Game 3 matchup, Nets center Nic Claxton successfully finished on a dunk before stepping over Joel Embiid. Frustrated with the taunting move, Embiid lifted his leg in a kicking motion, which led the game officials to review the play for a possible flagrant.

Many believed that Embiid’s night was finished, including Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn. To everybody’s surprise, Embiid was hit with a flagrant one, which helped him stay in the game.

After the Game 3 matchup, Vaughn addressed the media in disbelief at the fact that Embiid did not get ejected during the first quarter of the game.

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“I don't think I've ever seen that in my career before,” said Vaughn. “For a guy to intentionally kick someone in an area that none of us want to be kicked at or towards, and for him to continue to play, I've never seen that before in a game, and the guy continues to be able to play. Intentional.”

The Sixers mostly admitted they got in their own way at times on Thursday. And while Embiid didn’t receive an ejection, his teammate James Harden did down the stretch of the third quarter. Fortunately, the loss of Harden didn’t lead the Sixers to a loss.

By the end of the game, the Sixers defeated the Nets 102-97. With that win, the Sixers take a 3-0 lead over Brooklyn, leaving the Nets desperate going into Game 4 at home on Saturday.