Embiid Calls Out Simmons for Sixers Loss

Joel Embiid became noticeably uncomfortable about halfway through tonight’s postgame interview after being asked what the “turning point” was during the 76ers’ loss to the Hawks. After much hesitation, Embiid made his opinion known.

"We didn't get a good possession on the other end and Trae came back and he made a 3 and then from there down four, it's on me. I turned the ball over and tried to make something happen from the perimeter. But I thought that was the turning point."

— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) June 21, 2021

It’s not difficult to discern that Embiid was referring to Ben Simmons’s passed-up layup and missed free throw late in the fourth quarter, a sequence which led to a Trae Young 3-pointer that pretty much iced the game, the series, and potentially the “Process” as a whole. Here is the video:

Ben Simmons passes on a layup with under 4 to go DUNK THE BALL MY GUY!! pic.twitter.com/eDxf61Sn69

— Alex Monaco (@Alex__Monaco) June 21, 2021

The Sixers’ Game Seven loss undoubtedly forces the organization to answer some tough questions regarding the future of their franchise as well as the efficacy of “the Process” in general. Embiid was visibly frustrated at this Simmons play, as can be seen here:

here is Joel Embiid’s reaction when Ben Simmons passed up the wide open dunk pic.twitter.com/lrfdYiYpkv

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) June 21, 2021

Embiid’s passionate reaction to Simmons’s decision to pass up the layup was indicative of the series as a whole, during which Ben Simmons took three total fourth-quarter field-goal attempts in the seven-game series and averaged 33.3% from the free throw line according to StatMuse. This, combined with the Sixers’ historic fourth-quarter collapse in Game Five of the series, is reason enough to wonder just how different the team will look next season.  

Photograph © Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports