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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 17: James Harden #1 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Brooklyn Nets during Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on April 17, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 17: James Harden #1 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Brooklyn Nets during Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on April 17, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

76ers' Joel Embiid, James Harden Won't Be Suspended, Fined for Fouls vs. Nets

Mike ChiariApr 21, 2023

An NBA spokesperson confirmed to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday that neither Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid nor guard James Harden will be suspended or fined for fouls committed during Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

Harden was ejected during the third quarter of the game when he hit Nets forward Royce O'Neale in the groin while attempting to drive to the hoop:

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While Embiid was not ejected, he was called for a flagrant-1 foul for kicking Nets center Nic Claxton during the first quarter:

The Sixers went on to win the game 102-97, giving them a 3-0 series lead over Brooklyn.

There was some uncertainty coming out of Thursday's game regarding how the league would handle Embiid and Harden on the heels of some well-publicized controversy in the Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings series.

In Game 2 of that series, Warriors forward Draymond Green was ejected for stepping on Kings forward Domantas Sabonis after Sabonis grabbed Green's ankle.

Additionally, the NBA suspended Green for the Warriors' Game 3 win due to his history as a "repeat offender."

Even with Harden getting tossed from Thursday's Game 3, Philadelphia bounced back to win, giving it a firm hold on the first-round series.

Just as they were during the regular season, both Embiid and Harden have been highly productive during the playoffs, and they are huge reasons for the 3-0 lead.

Embiid is averaging 20.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.3 blocks per game, while Harden is putting up 17.3 points, 8.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest.

The Sixers are also getting major production out of Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris, who are averaging 23.7 and 18.7 points per game, respectively.

Philly was widely expected to take care of business against a Nets team without Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving after Brooklyn dealt them prior to the deadline.

The 76ers are just one win away from the second round, which is where they have tripped up time and time again in recent years.

In fact, the Sixers have lost in the second round or earlier in each of the past five seasons.

If they can find a way to get past the second round this year, it will represent the 76ers' deepest playoff run since reaching the NBA Finals in 2001.

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