One of the NBA’s biggest stars has narrowly avoided disaster after a violent act of frustration nearly ended in catastrophic style.
Philadelphia superstar Joel Embiid narrowly avoided a disaster when he violently lashed out during the 76ers’ NBA clash with the Chicago Bulls on Sunday (AEDT).
The Sixers won the game 114-105 to move to the top of the Eastern Conference standings with a 8-2 record.
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But fans had their hearts in their mouth when Embiid nearly punched an opposition player later in the second quarter.
The star centre was dribbling towards the basket when he lost control of the ball and it went out of bounds.
Furious with himself for not holding on to the ball, Embiid carelessly spun around and punched the air in frustration but his fist only missed the head of Bulls player Lonzo Ball by a matter of millimetres.
The play was reviewed by the officials and Embiid was given a technical foul for the incident but he was allowed to play out the remainder of the game.
Embiid clearly didn’t intend to touch Ball with his punch and the pair later hugged it out and there were no hard feelings.
Viewers were shocked by the outburst, with many believing the star centre could count himself extremely lucky his hard punch didn’t connect with Ball’s head.
“He got mad,” the TV commentator said.
“I don’t think he did it on purpose. He was upset with not getting the call and swung his fist.
“He hit Lonzo. I’ll tell you what, no one accused Lonzo of not being able to take a punch.
“That could have been ugly. That’s definitely a flagrant foul.”
“Embiid clearly with a frustration air punch,” NBA writer for The Athletic Derek Bodner wrote on Twitter.
“No intention there other than to show frustration with himself.
“But ya gotta stop blindly air punching. If Lonzo were an inch taller he’d be out cold right now.”
Bulls NBC Insider KC Johnson added: “Wow. That’s a crazy play.
“Embiid tried to punch air in frustration and instead hit Lonzo Ball in the head.
“Has already drawn a T (Technical foul) and officials are reviewing play.”
Apart from his stray punch, Embiid had an exceptional performance for Philadelphia.
Chicago big man Nikola Vucevic was no match on defence for Embiid who had a field day, scoring 30 points and picking up 15 assists.
Despite the absence of disgruntled star Ben Simmons, the Sixers have started the season in great form and now boast the best win-loss record in the NBA.
Originally published as ‘He’d be out cold’: Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid nearly punches opponent in NBA game
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