Celtics’ Marcus Smart on dustup with Joel Embiid: ‘Could have cracked his head open, but I didn’t’

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The Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers kicked off the 2022-2023 NBA season Tuesday night at TD Garden arena, and things quickly got chippy between the two Eastern Conference contenders. 

At the start of the third quarter, 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart and Philadelphia center Joel Embiid got entangled under the basket, leading to Smart’s arm being yanked by Embiid. 

Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after being fouled during the Celtics game at TD Garden on Oct. 18, 2022, in Boston. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Smart, who quickly got off the floor to confront Embiid, said after the game that Embiid tried to break his arm. Smart said he showed maturity by not retaliating against the Sixer.

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"Went for a rebound, basketball play," Smart said after the game. "Went for the steal, basketball play. Referee calls a foul, I stop play, my arms still stuck in there, and he tries to break it. And I’m the only one that gets a tech [technical foul]. 

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"Like I said, It’s maturity," Smart continued. "I could have cracked his head open, but I didn't. And that’s the maturity we have."

Jaylen Brown, who rushed to Smart’s defense after the play, told reporters that the Celtics aren’t "taking no mess this year." 

"It seemed like he was trying to hurt Smart in that sense," Brown said after the game. "Instincts just came right over. Ended up being nothing. Ended up being a play on. Nobody got hurt. 

Jaylen Brown of the Celtics celebrates after hitting a three-point shot against the