In the second quarter of the Chicago Bulls' game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Lonzo Ball came just inches away from taking a strong, inadvertent punch to the face from Joel Embiid.

After committing a turnover, Embiid turned around and swung his first in frustration without looking. Ball was in the wrong place at the wrong time and took a hit. Had he been there a second early, it could have been ugly. Fortunately, Ball walked it off like a champ.

Embiid received a technical foul and made sure to apologize to Ball afterward.

Article Continues Below
More Chicago Bulls News
Paul Pierce praises Thunder's Chet Holmgren with Scottie Pippen comparison
Paul Pierce praises Thunder’s Chet Holmgren with Scottie Pippen comparisonJulian Ojeda ·
Grading Cavs-Bulls Lonzo Ball trade
Grading Cavs-Bulls Lonzo Ball tradeJulian Ojeda ·
Noa Essengue stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 12th pick by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Buzelis
Bulls’ Noa Essengue draws Pascal Siakam comparisonZachary Howell ·
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) defends Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) during the first quarter at United Center.
Bill Simmons piles on Bulls for Lakers tradePreston Byers ·
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) reacts toward an official after an offensive foul as Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) holds him back at FedExForum. White received a technical foul.
Bulls GM teases offseason plans with list of players ‘all coming back’Scotty White ·
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) drives the ball against Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena.
Bulls labeled ‘unserious franchise’ for Lakers draft tradeJulian Ojeda ·

The Bulls and Sixers each came into this game with two of the top records in the Eastern Conference.

Embiid, in 30.5 minutes per game, is leading the Sixers with 20.4 points per game on 41.2 percent shooting from the field this season. He is also averaging 8.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists. With Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris unavailable for the time being, the Sixers will need to find players to step up and continue their winning ways. Their 7-2 record entering the game against Chicago is the best in the conference.

Ball, in his first season with the Bulls, has per-game averages of 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game. His playmaking and defense make him an ideal backcourt mate for Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. The 6-2 Bulls' charge up the standings after a huge remodeling in the summer is very promising, though keeping up this hot pace would be surprising.