Joel Embiid, James Harden and Nic Claxton react to controversial officiating in 76ers-Nets Game 3

Kyle Irving

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Joel Embiid, James Harden and Nic Claxton react to controversial officiating in 76ers-Nets Game 3 image

Game 3 between the 76ers and Nets had a little bit of everything.

The chaos commenced immediately when Philadelphia star Joel Embiid and Nets center Nic Claxton got tied up in the first three minutes of the game. Claxton finished an alley-oop over Embiid, then attempted to step over the MVP candidate. Embiid wasn't having it, kicking Claxton in the groin area.

While the expectation was that Embiid would receive a Flagrant 2 foul and be ejected from the game, the 76ers big man was only assessed a Flagrant 1, while Claxton was given a technical foul.

MORE: What is the difference between a Flagrant 1 and Flagrant 2 foul?

Later in the contest, star guard James Harden was being tightly defended by Nets forward Royce O'Neale on the perimeter. When Harden went to attack the basket, he pushed off O'Neale, hitting him in the groin area. Even though the motion seemed far less intentional than Embiid's, Harden was given a Flagrant 2 foul and was ejected from the game.

The controversy didn't end there, either. In the fourth quarter, Claxton got revenge on Embiid, dunking on the superstar. With a mean mug look on his face, Claxton flexed at Embiid and was given a technical foul. Because it was his second technical, Claxton was also ejected from the game.

For those keeping score at home, that is one Flagrant 1 foul, one Flagrant 2 foul and two technical fouls in one busy game for the officiating crew.

Behind an electrifying fourth quarter from 76ers young star Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia was able to pull off a comeback win to take a 3-0 series lead in Brooklyn. However, with the way the game was called, no one left the Barclays Center happy.

Take a look at what was said after the game.

76ers center Joel Embiid on his Flagrant 1 foul

Embiid delivered a candid response when asked if he thought he was going to be ejected for kicking Claxton.

"Um, I don't remember," he said with a smile on his face. "Like I said, we're up 3-0. We move on. It takes me a while to process games after that type of fight. I gotta go watch the tape, see what we can do better and what I can do better. I'm just happy we got the win."

76ers guard James Harden on his ejection

Harden was not happy about the referee's decision to eject him from the game, citing his history that he is not a dirty player.

"It's an unacceptable Flagrant 2. It's the first time I've been ejected. I'm not labeled as a dirty player. I didn't hit him in the private area. When someone is draped on you like that defensively, it's just a natural basketball reaction. And I didn't hit him hard enough to fall down like that. But for a Flagrant 2, that's unacceptable. This is a playoff game."

Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn on Joel Embiid's Flagrant 1

Coach Vaughn didn't hold back on his thoughts of the Embiid ruling.

"For a guy to intentionally kick someone in an area that none of us want to be kicked at or towards and for him to continue to play, I've never seen that before in a game."

Nets center Nic Claxton on his ejection

Surprisingly, Claxton actually agreed with the referee's decision to give him a second technical foul, which ejected him from the game.

"Yeah when I watched it, it was a little excessive. I gotta keep my emotions in check and my team, they need me out there. It's part of my growth, just keeping my cool in moments like that when I'm playing and my emotions are really high," he told the media.

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.