Female NBA ref Jenna Schroeder’s message to Nick Nurse goes viral after ejecting 76ers center (Image Credit: Imagn)

Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond was controversially ejected during Monday’s 111-106 home win over the San Antonio Spurs. However, the call was overturned, with referee Jenna Schroeder taking accountability for the mishap during a conversation with 76ers coach Nick Nurse.

Early in the second quarter, Schroeder called consecutive technical fouls on Drummond for shoving Spurs star center Victor Wembanyama to the ground on inbounds plays. On the second one, which resulted in Drummond’s automatic ejection with 8:13 remaining in the quarter, the two-time All-Star reacted in apparent disbelief.

Upon review, the officials saw that Drummond made limited contact with Wembanyama. So, they rescinded his ejection and called the French phenom for a flop, allowing Drummond to re-enter the game, to the delight of Philly’s crowd.

However, Wembanyama’s flopping call was later overturned after 76ers star guard Tyrese Maxey converted the corresponding technical free throw. Thus, further confusion was generated.

Following the officiating verdict, Schroeder approached Nurse, who was furious about her initial ruling, and took responsibility for the blunder.

“I f**ked up,” Schroeder said.

Nevertheless, the officiating crew’s decision-making process left many around the NBA world baffled, including Nurse.

Nick Nurse on 76ers facing questionable officiating during Andre Drummond-Victor Wembanyama exchange

During his postgame interview, Nick Nurse weighed in on Andre Drummond and Victor Wembanyama’s second-quarter exchange that sparked multiple bizarre calls. The 2019 NBA champion expressed confusion at the sequence and skepticism about Drummond pushing Wembanyama hard enough for him to fall.

“Just the whole thing was really strange,” Nurse said. “Without looking at the tape to see what was actually going on there, I doubt that he was going down because of such aggressive pushing. … All three of the calls seemed really strange to me, but on we go.”

Moreover, Wembanyama noted postgame that Drummond inadvertently tripped him, and he wasn’t seeking a foul call.

“Just stepped on my foot, and I fell. That’s it,” Wembanyama said. “I just got tripped. I didn’t mean to fall. I didn’t expect the foul to be called. I just fell.”

Fortunately for the 76ers, the fiasco proved relatively inconsequential, as they ultimately secured a five-point home victory, led by Maxey’s game-high 32-point performance.