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Boston Celtics

Grant Williams reacts to basically getting curb-stomped by Joel Embiid

By Matt Dolloff
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 05: Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics fouls Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter in game three of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Grant Williams was lucky to have all his teeth after this.

It was all an accident, thankfully, and would’ve just been insane if it wasn’t. But as the Celtics forward crashed to the floor in a battle for a loose ball, the 76ers’ Joel Embiid landed awkwardly on the back of Williams’ head as he came down, accidentally driving Williams’ face into the floor with his foot.

Williams had to leave the game as trainers went to work on him. He certainly got a bloody mouth and a fat lip for his troubles. It was legitimately a situation that could’ve resulted in some lost teeth, stitches. But Williams escaped the incident mostly unscathed.

  • Williams was able to return to the game not long after getting treatment on the bench. Embiid went to check on him and the two had a nice moment that was caught on audio, as Williams happened to be mic’d up for the game.

  • Williams told reporters he was “good to go” in the locker room after the game. He was also able to see the video, and had a funny reaction to it.

    “I was like ‘Damn, I really got curb-stomped,'” Williams joked. “But, it happens, man. He was falling backward. I’m just thankful he didn’t fully lean his weight into it, because he definitely got me pretty badly, but then I think he felt that he landed on something, so he picked his foot up.

    “It hurts a little bit, when I start talking, but it’s all good.”

  • It was all in the spirit of competition and Williams avoided any kind of serious injury, so really, everybody wins with a story like this. Williams took the accidental curb-stomping like a warrior, and Embiid did the right thing to go check on him.

    The Celtics also ultimately won on the scoreboard, as they pulled away for a 114-102 win to take a 2-1 series lead over the 76ers. Game 4 takes place Friday night, with tipoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET.

  • Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

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