Moments After James Harden Dropped the Ball on Joel Embiid?s 76ers, Newly Crowned 7ft MVP Seems off While Sharing Blame: ?Players Have to Show Up?

After winning Game 1 in the second round of the playoff series, the Philadelphia 76ers went on to lose two consecutive games to the Boston Celtics. The 76ers lost Game 3 to the Celtics with a final score of 114-102. While a chunk of the blame does fall on James Harden who seemingly dropped the ball during the game, the 76ers 2023 MVP Joel Embiid was not willing to share the liability for the loss.?

The duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown did an amazing job on the offensive end of the floor and while Joel Embiid tried to keep his team afloat, his efforts went in vain.

Joel Embiid takes a subtle jab at his teammates

Joel Embiid led the 76ers with a 30-point performance along with 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks for the game. No other player on the 76ers roster even managed to crack the 20-point mark for Game 3.

As for the Celtics, the ?Jay Brothers? combined to score a total of 50 points. The team also had four other players who scored well into the double-digit mark for the game.

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During the post-game press conference, Joel Embiid talked about the mistake that unfolded during the game. Michael K-B of CBS Sports asked him if sudden adjustments from one game to another made a difference or if it was the players’ performances.

In response, the recently crowned MVP said, ?I think, players have to show up. I gotta do my job. Other guys, everybody knows their role, they have to do their job. Players have to show up.?

Embiid went on to talk about how no amount of adjustments would help if players are unable to drain shots in the game. The seven-foot center took some of the blame on himself before trying to hold his teammates responsible for the loss saying, “I gotta be better, we all gotta be better. We just haven’t been good enough.?

Was Embiid’s message toward James Harden?

Joel Embiid?s post-game press conference spoke volumes. Though he did not point fingers at anyone, he did try to hold his teammates accountable. The second option on offense for the team, James Harden, certainly did not play up to his standards of basketball.

James Harden finished the night with 16 points on 3-14 shooting. Harden shot a daunting low, 21.4% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc. If the 76ers hope to win any games, Harden will have to pick up the pace given that the Celtics are currently leading the series.

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Let?s see what Philadelphia has to offer for the upcoming Game 4.