NBA playoffs: Joel Embiid makes DARK threat after Justise Winslow tried to SNAP his mask
PHILADELPHIA 76ers centre Joel Embiid was unimpressed with Miami Heat forward Justice Winslow after the 22-year—old appeared to deliberately stamp on his protective eye mask during game three of their Eastern Conference playoff series last night.
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Embiid made his first start in 10 games since suffering a left orbital fracture that required corrective surgery at the end of March.
The seriousness of the injury requires Embiid to wear a mask made of carbon and polycarbonate to protect the affected area with one team source telling local reporter Keith Pompey that “a forceful blow to the orbital bone could even permanently damage the sight in his left eye”.
He was left inactive for the first two games of the series – much to his frustration – but after being allowed to return to the court tonight, he put up 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in 30 minutes to lead the 76ers to a 128-108 win.
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But there was controversy in the second quarter of the game after his mask fell off and onto the court.
Heat forward Winslow appeared to walk towards the mask and stamp on it before picking it up to try and break it in his hands.
Speaking after the game, Embiid said: “As far as the mask, Justise stepped on it and tried to break with his hands.
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“But little did he know we have about 50 of them. It's going to take much more than that to get me out of these series.
“I’m going to be a nightmare for them, too."
The series has become increasingly tense as the games have gone on, with tempers flaring between the two sides over a number of incidents.
Last night, Dario Saric attempted a lay-up with four seconds left on the clock as his team led 127-108 in retaliation to Goran Dragic scoring late in a double-digit win over the Sixers in game two.