Sixers

Joel Embiid Was In Tears After Kawhi Leonard’s Miraculous Shot

By Bob Wankel

Published: May 12th, 2019 · 10:04 PM EDT

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I’m not quite sure what the right word is for what we witnessed at the end of tonight’s Game 7 between the Sixers and Raptors. The missed free throw by Kawhi Leonard, the slash to the net by Jimmy Butler that tied it up. Hope. And then __________?

Game 7. Kawhi Leonard. Buzzer-beater.

HE DID THAT 🔥😱 #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Qn462prWt3

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 13, 2019

Doink. Backboard. Doink. Doink. Doink. In. Season over.

I had said unbelievable as it unfolded in real time. There might have been another word or two mixed in with it, but, I mean, is this really unbelievable? Awful, yes. Unbelievable or surprising? Not so much.

Whatever the fitting description, Joel Embiid had no words in the immediate shock of Leonard’s game-winner, just tears as he headed to the locker room. You can see his raw emotion and what is sure to become a sports meme for all of eternity, after the jump:

Joel Embiid is crying as #Sixers head back to locker room. 😢 #PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/xC2RCAosOa

— TheEaglesFeast (@EaglesFeast) May 13, 2019

Here’s another view, this one with Embiid and his girlfriend:

Give us a guy who cares this much.
Give us a guy who pours his heart out after a heartbreaking loss.

Thank you, Joel Embiid. You will be back. pic.twitter.com/G2uqTP2Day

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 13, 2019

Brett Brown, who may or may not be the Sixers coach after tonight, had this to say about Embiid’s obvious devastation:

absolutely amazing answer from brett brown when asked about embiid crying after the game and how it will make him stronger pic.twitter.com/yCHPkvGAen

— drew (@sixersruinedme) May 13, 2019

A painful life memory. That’s one way to describe it.  Get ready for a long offseason and a long Monday on the sports radio airwaves filled with “What’s the most painful Philly sports moment that made you cry?”

Should be good times.