Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid struggled with injuries in Game 3. Did Atlanta Hawks fans cheer when he hurt his knee?
Embiid was the MVP favorite for the majority of the season for a reason, so any minutes he can give the 76ers are positive ones.
While Philly was able to take Game 3, securing a 2-1 lead in a series they are favored to win, some 76ers fans are convinced that those watching the game live at State Farm Arena cheered Embiid’s potential demise.
The video itself doesn’t make said boos obvious. Those covering the game, and those with a Philadelphia slant (obviously), thought there may have been some cheers. Either way, any obvious motive against Embiid playing would clearly be a violation of NBA etiquette.
As if our expectations for basketball fans weren’t already low this playoffs.
NBA Playoffs: Did Atlanta Hawks fans cheer Joel Embiid’s injury?
If we’re being frank, it’s too hard to tell. The audio on this clip doesn’t appear to show anything too out of the ordinary, though plenty of fans are running with it.
There were more where that came from.
Sixers fans are used to being called classless by the media and other NBA fanbases. So, when they see another fanbase partaking in some questionable behavior, they call it out.
That was the case on Friday night, though it’s unclear if, or how many, actual Hawks fans took part.