The 76ers’ #JoelEmbiid and Timberwolves’ #KarlAnthonyTowns each given a two-day suspension following their throw down during their game in Philadelphia Wednesday night.
The two start fighting in the third quarter of the game. Video footage shows Towns throw the first punch but it missed Embiid. Not long after, Embiid poked Towns in the eye with his thumb. That’s when the fight escalated into a struggle between the men on the ground. The two were taken out of the game after the video was reviewed.
The suspensions, announced Thursday by league vice president Kiki VanDeWeghe, also noted the players’ “continued escalation following the incident.” Sixers player #BenSimmons wasn’t punished and was seen as a “peacemaker” in the situation for trying to break up the fight.
According to ESPN, Embiid will begin serving his suspension Saturday, when the 76ers visit the Portland Trail Blazers. Towns’ suspension will also begin Saturday when the Wolves visit the Washington Wizards.
After the scuffle, the two exchanged words on Twitter. “That tough guy act ain’t cutting it …. you know what you are.. you know what you’ve always been>>> A PUSSY (SAY IT LOUDER FOR PEOPLE IN THE BACK) Been kicking your ass and pretty please make the playoffs before you talk. It’s a known thing that I OWN YOU. KarlTowns,” Embiid wrote. Towns posted several pictures of Embiid mocking him with a caption that read “I aIN’t nO BiTcH RaiSeD ARoUnD LiOnS” with several clowns and cap emojis.
Timberwolves president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas issued a statement saying, “While we are disappointed with the league’s decision, we understand the magnitude of this unfortunate incident. The NBA is highly competitive, and last night was a reflection of that. We support Karl and will move forward together as a group.”
