Celtics' Grant Williams 'got curb-stomped' by Joel Embiid in Game 3
Grant Williams got a face full of Joel Embiid during Friday’s Game 3 of the semifinal playoff series.
The Celtics forward was sent to the sidelines in the fourth quarter quickly to check his face after the 76ers’ big man and 2023 NBA MVP accidentally stepped on Williams’ head, slamming his face into the hardwood.
“I was like, ‘Dang, I really got curb-stomped,’ ” Williams said to reporters about being shown the video after the Celtics’ 114-102 win.
The collision occurred in an effort to grab a loose ball.
Both Williams and his teammate Jaylen Brown dived on the floor for the ball while Embiid stepped on Williams’ head as he attempted to jump over both players.
Willams sat up, grabbing his face, and fell back again in pain. Embiid fell backward on the floor.
Joel Embiid stepped on Grant Williams’ head during their game Friday night. Screengrab via Twitter
76ers’ Joel Embiid and Grant Williams react after collision. AP
After the trainer looked at Williams, he eventually came back to the court where he shared a moment with Embiid, who said, “My bad” and apologized for the incident.
Williams had no hard feelings after the situation, as he can be seen tapping Embiid on the back in reassurance that he didn’t take any offense.
Grant Williams said that he “got curb-stomped” by 76ers star Joel Embiid. Getty Images
“It happens, man,” Williams told reporters afterward. “He was falling backward and I’m just thankful he didn’t fully lean his weight on it because he definitely got me pretty badly but then I think he felt like he landed on something so he picked his foot up.”
Williams and the Celtics lead the series 2-1 after Friday night, with Game 4 set for Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Embiid finished Game 3 with 30 points and 13 rebounds, while Williams posted four rebounds and one assist.
Source: New York Post
