76ers Star James Harden Ejected for Hitting Nets Player in Groin

The Philadelphia guard was leading the team in points before leaving in the third quarter.

76ers guard James Harden was ejected after being issued a flagrant 2 foul in Game 3 vs. the Nets on Thursday night.

In the third quarter, Harden was advancing towards the basket when he elbowed Nets forward Royce O’Neale in the groin area. O’Neale appeared to react in pain to the jab as the officials called the Flagrant 2 foul on Harden. 

A Flagrant 2 foul in the NBA results in an automatic ejection. 

Before leaving the game, Harden was leading the 76ers with 21 points. He also racked up five rebounds and four assists in 29 minutes of play. The 76ers currently lead the first round series 2–0.

James Harden has been ejected for this foul on Royce O'Neale

(via @NBCSPhilly)pic.twitter.com/WCtKXW8xHr

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 21, 2023

Thursday night’s game was chippy all around, as 76ers center Joel Embiid was handed a Flagrant 1 foul after Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton walked over him, causing Embiid to kick him from below. Embiid was not ejected for this foul. 

Claxton ended up being ejected in the fourth quarter after receiving his second technical foul in the game.