Photo Credit; DAVID MAIALETTI / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pascal Siakam Calls Out Joel Embiid Over Dirty Plays In Game 4: “I Don’t Like That… It’s All Fake Toughness”

Things got a bit chippy between Joel Embiid and Pascal Siakam during Saturday’s Game 4 matchup. Late in the fourth quarter, Embiid found his emotions getting the best of him, striking a hard foul on the 28-year old Raptors forward which resulted in a technical foul.

Things are getting chippy in Toronto

Joel Embiid makes sure Pascal Siakam can feel this foul.

Siakam has a career-high 34 points. Embiid was hit with a tech.

@timandfriendspic.twitter.com/ivNkZI9FdC

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 23, 2022

Embiid was understandably frustrated as he finished the game with only 21 points, 8 rebounds on a rough 43.8% shooting from the field to go along with 5 turnovers and 4 fouls. The Sixers center also walked off the court while sarcastically clapping at the officials following loss to the Raptors.

Meanwhile, Siakam delivered a masterclass performance to escape a sweep from the Sixers, ending the night with 34 points (15 in the fourth), 8 rebounds and 5 assists on 52.6% shooting from the field. 

After the game, Siakam sounded off on Embiid for his dirty plays in the fourth quarter, calling his inappropriate actions as fake toughness.

“I’m a competitor. I love competing. This is the playoffs, the highest level. I’m cool with the talking, I just don’t want those dirty plays,” Siakam told reporters. “I don’t like that. Keep it basketball… At the end of the day, it’s all fake toughness.”

Siakam on those plays with Embiid in the 4th: “I’m a competitor. I love competing. This is the playoffs, the highest level. I’m cool with the talking, I just don’t want those dirty plays. I don’t like that. Keep it basketball… At the end of the day, it’s all fake toughness”

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 23, 2022