Celtics' Smart ejected for pushing Embiid to the back

PHILADELPHIA – Boston Celtics goalkeeper Marcus Smart was ejected less than a minute after the start of the third quarter of Wednesday night's game against Philadelphia for a two-handed pass from 76ers Joel Embiid.

Smart was muddled with Embiid at 11:08 of the third quarter while he was trying to steal a pass destined for the All-Star center on the perimeter.

Two seconds later, after Boston entered the ball after stopping the game, Embiid surprised Smart trying to pass near him with what appeared to be an elbow in the left rib cage. Smart then fell to the ground, but no call was made.

As Embiid began to move away, Smart stood up, took a step and pushed him in the back with both hands, both arms fully extended. This pushed Embiid to lie on the ground in a corner, and he immediately jumped to his feet and tried to get back to Smart, with officials, coaches, security guards and players from both teams preventing aggravation of the situation.

After a long review, officials hit Smart with a flagrant foul 2, resulting in immediate deportation. At the announcement of the call, Philadelphia supporters encouraged Smart and raised his right hand towards the crowd to cheer him as he was crossing the tunnel and heading to the locker room of Boston.

Embiid, meanwhile, was hit with a technical foul for his role in the play.