Joel Embiid’s flopping (Photo By X/@BrickCenter_)

Joel Embiid looked energized and confident in the opening minutes of the Philadelphia 76ers’ NBA Cup opener against the Boston Celtics. Embiid and his teammates entered the game with an unbeaten 4-0 record and seemed poised for another victory.

Embiid was even seen celebrating enthusiastically after an early easy bucket in the first half. He clearly believed the Sixers were on track to extend their winning streak.

However, the momentum didn’t last. As the night progressed, the Sixers struggled to maintain their lead and ultimately fell short in a 109-108 defeat. What drew even more attention than the loss itself was a viral moment involving Embiid’s flopping in the third quarter.

During the third quarter, as Derrick White passed the ball, his hand brushed across Embiid’s face. Embiid dramatically fell to the floor as though he had taken a heavy hit. The exaggerated fall quickly went viral.

Despite the incident, Embiid, who is unsure about his future availability, continued to push through the game. He finished with 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. His efforts helped Philadelphia outscore Boston 25-21 in the third quarter, but it still wasn’t enough to secure the win. The Sixers simply couldn’t close out the game when it mattered most.

Bill Simmons Calls Out Joel Embiid’s Favorable Referee Calls

Joel Embiid (Image Credits: Imagn)
Another controversial moment occurred during the same matchup when Embiid appeared to knee or kick Hugo Gonzalez in the groin. Yet still earned free throws. The play stirred plenty of criticism, particularly from sports analyst Bill Simmons. Simmons voiced his frustration over Embiid’s treatment by referees.

“Nobody gets more ludicrous calls than Embiid—literally no one. He’s the only guy who can kick his legs out on a three, kick someone in the nuts and then shoot three free throws. It’s hilarious. Never change, NBA,” Simmons wrote on X.

The 4-1 Philadelphia 76ers will now turn their focus to Sunday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.