Sixers center Joel Embiid was fined and little-used Hawks forward Bruno Fernando was suspended for one game by the NBA for their roles in an altercation late in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Embiid was docked $35,000 for “escalating” an on-court incident “by pursuing” Atlanta forward John Collins “in an unsportsmanlike manner” and failing to comply with an NBA Security interview after the game, the league announced Sunday.
Fernando, who has played just two minutes in the series, was suspended for Sunday’s Game 7 in Philadelphia for leaving the Atlanta bench. The skirmish took place after Embiid was called for an offensive foul on Collins with 4:03 remaining in the Sixers’ victory Friday in Game 6 to even the series. Both Embiid and Collins were assessed technical fouls on the play.
Game 7 between the 76ers and Hawks is set for 8 p.m. Sunday night. The winner will advance to the Eastern Conference finals to face the Bucks, who beat the Nets in Game 7 on Saturday.