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Philadelphia's Joel Embiid (30) was ejected after confronting a female referee in the 76ers' 111-106 victory over San Antonio in a wild Monday of NBA action. An expected big-man showdown between Cameroonian Embiid and France's Victor Wembanyama ended late in the first half, leaving Tyrese Maxey to produce 32 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in sparking the win. "It's big time," Maxey said of getting the win for Embiid. "We're learning to play without him... We've got to change the game, come a little faster, play a little harder and gain rebounds."
Embiid came onto the court after the game and hugged Maxey after the guard's late surge with a steal, dunk, 3-pointer and free throw in a game-ending 9-3 win to deliver the home triumph. "It's love, man," Maxey said. "That has been my big brother for a long time." Chaos started 3:47 into the second period when Wembanyama tumbled to the court after contact with Philadelphia's Andre Drummond, who was ejected for a second technical foul.
It was later overturned upon a video review to a "Wemby" flop foul, allowing Drummond back into the game. Embiid was whistled for his third foul by referee Jenna Schroeder after charging into Wembanyama with 2:59 remaining in the first half and, after heated complaints to her, Embiid was issued two technical fouls and ejected.
That sparked even more ire from Embiid, who ripped off the facial protective mask he wore for a sinus fracture and yelled his displeasure while being physically restrained from confronting the officials. He exited after only nine points in 14 minutes. "It was a wild first half," 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. NBA blocked shots leader Wembanyama finished with 26 points, nine rebounds and eight blocked shots for the Spurs. He swatted away four in the first quarter, three in its final 30 seconds, on his way to a career-best seven in the first half.
