Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams smashed his head into the field during the fourth quarter of Boston’s 114-102 win over the Celtics. Philadelphia 76ers Friday night.
While fighting over a loose ball, Williams and Jaylen Brown ended up on the ground, causing Joel Embiid, the Most Valuable Player of 2023 to jump over the two players.
Joel Embiid, front left, and Grant Williams, front right, of the Philadelphia 76ers, react after colliding during the second half of Game 3 in an NBA Eastern Conference semifinal playoff basketball series, Friday, January 5. May 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Unfortunately for Williams, Embiid didn’t clear the two and his foot hit the back of williams headcausing his face to crash into the ground.
«I was like, ‘Dang, I really got stomped on,'» Williams said after the game. «I’m just grateful that he didn’t quite like putting his weight on him. He definitely caught me quite a bit. But then I think he felt like he landed on something, so he lifted his foot. It hurts a little bit.» .»
Embiid apologized to Williams after he re-entered the game.
Jayson Tatum, number 0 of the Boston Celtics, reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference second round playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
«That was a bit unpleasant», celtic guard Jason Tatum said.
The Celtics pulled away late in Game 3, getting timely baskets from Tatum and center Al Horford.
Tatum led Boston in scoring with 27 points, including seven points in the final 2:40 of the fourth quarter.
James Harden fought hard for the 76ers and is now 5-28 from the field in the last two games after scoring 45 points in Philadelphia’s Game 1 win.
Boston Celtics number 12 Grant Williams celebrates during the third quarter of game two of the Eastern Conference second round playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on May 3, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the 76ers 121-87. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
«We’re trying to make him work as hard as we can,» Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. «Trying to keep him away from the foul line. The guys are just working to get those things out.»
Game 4 will begin on Sunday at 3:30 pm ET.
Associated Press contributed to this report.