Dec 16, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots the ball as Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) defends during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Joel Embiid and Kevin Durant got into a heated exchange during Thursday’s Philadelphia 76ers-Brooklyn Nets game.
The Brooklyn Nets were coming off two wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers entering Thursday night. But, it was Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers who emerged with the 110-102 “W” at Barclays Center.
In the closing seconds of the game, Embiid and Nets star Kevin Durant started exchanging words with one another. Durant approached Embiid when he was standing at the free throw line, and it continued until after the game clock struck zero.
Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant exchange words in76ers-Nets game
As pointed out on the Nets broadcast, Embiid motioning for Durant and the Nets to leave the court stemmed from what happened in their last meeting on Dec. 16. As Brooklyn clinched the 114-105 win at the Barclays Center, Durant made a similar motion to the 76ers.
Exchange aside, Embiid was stellar for 76ers. In 32 minutes of playing time, Embiid scored a team-high 34 points (11-of-23 from field, 9-for-12 from free throw line), while grabbing seven rebounds and recording three steals.
Durant put up 33 points while shooting 13-for-24 from the field, in addition to recording six rebounds and four assists in 38 minutes in his first game since being activated from the league’s health and safety protocols. But his performance took a bit of a backseat to James Harden, who recorded a triple-double (33 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists) in the loss.
For those looking for the next meeting between Durant and Embiid, that will not occur until March 10.