Sixers’ James Harden baffled by ‘unacceptable’ ejection in Game 3 vs. Nets
NEW YORK James Harden had more time than usual Thursday night to put on an all-purple outfit and gear up to address a scrum of reporters eager for his thoughts.
Speaking about ejections is unfamiliar for the Sixers 10-time All-Star point guard. However, Hardens opinion on the Flagrant 2 foul he received late in the third quarter of the Sixers volatile Game 3 win over the Nets at Barclays Center was not remotely muddled.
Unacceptable, Harden said. An unacceptable Flagrant 2 the first time Ive been ejected. Im not labeled as a dirty player. I didnt hit (Royce ONeale) in the private area. When somebodys draped on you like that defensively, its just a natural basketball reaction. I didnt hit him hard enough for him to fall down like that. But for a Flagrant 2, its unacceptable.
This is a playoff game. Weve seen around the league things that are much worse than what that play was. I didnt even think it was a foul on me. But yeah, thats unacceptable. That cant happen.
Crew chief Tony Brothers told pool reporter Brian Mahoney of The Associated Press that Harden was ejected because, Based on the point of contact directly to the groin, it rose to the level of excessive and ejection.
Especially after Joel Embiid only received a Flagrant 1 in the first quarter for Hooooo boy, Sixers-Nets already getting spicy in Game 3 👀😳 pic.twitter.com/4KWf7USwbN
In the 14th postseason of his 14-year NBA career, Harden had been frustrated with the lack of whistles in his favor during the Sixers wins in Games 1 and 2. He finally drew his first foul shots of the series 28 seconds into Thursdays game.
When the officials went to review his foul on O’Neale, an ejection wasn’t on Harden’s radar.
I didnt even think it was a foul on me, he said. Somebodys draped on me, your natural reaction is to use your off arm and get them off a little bit, and that was it. There wasnt a wind-up, elbow none of that. I didnt hit him in the private area none of that. So that cant happen.
The ejection decision abruptly halted Hardens night at a stat line of 21 points on 8-for-15 shooting, five rebounds, and four assists.
He sounded genuinely mystified about what constitutes an ejection and why he had to cheer on Tyrese Maxey, DeAnthony Melton and company from behind the scenes in the fourth quarter instead of sharing the floor with them.
I have no idea, Harden said. But for me, to get my first ejection on a play like that where theres no hostile act, thats unacceptable. Ive seen other calls, other plays and things like that but come on.
Harden still managed to wrap up the strange postgame session (and overall night) in good-humored fashion.
Horrible. And I was having an OK game! he said with a laugh what asked about his feelings following the ejection. Im aggressive a little bit. You know what I mean? I dont want that. It cant happen again, unless its called for.
But Im happy we won the game, man. Game 4 Saturday. Ill see yall then.
