Embiid Given Flagrant Foul for Kicking Cade Cunningham

The NBA assessed Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid a postgame flagrant foul 1 on Wednesday after he kicked Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham in the groin during an altercation. The incident occurred at the start of the first quarter when Embiid attempted a shot, striking Cunningham with his right leg before passing to LeBron James; no foul was called on the play itself despite Cunningham being left in pain and unable to recover quickly. Separately, officials reviewed video footage from earlier in the game where Embiid shoved Tolu Smith under the basket after a call for positioning, resulting in a technical foul against him as he initiated the contact with his elbow. Both infractions marked Embiid's first flagrant 1 of the season and his second technical foul of the year. While Cunningham scored only nine points in the first half before finishing with 26 total points, Embiid recorded 26 points and a season-high 15 rebounds to help Philadelphia secure an 8-1 start on Wednesday.