Joel Embiid and Hassan Whiteside have had a friendly season-long feud - which initially began following a pre-season encounter - but things may have taken an interesting twist in their latest clash.The pair have often trolled one another through social media posts and comments to the press as they developed a rivalry on the court but it turned a little physical as the Philadelphia 76ers visited the Miami Heat on Thursday night.During the Heat's 108-99 win, both players were involved in an incident in the third quarter as they ran up the court where Whiteside appeared to hit Embiid in the back with his right forearm.They were hit with a double foul by the referees - with Whiteside also receiving a technical - but the Sixers big man had some strong words to say about the scuffle after the game as he accused his rival of being "dirty"."(He) tried hit me in the back, which is kind of dirty because of the fact that I’ve had back problems. So we’re going to see about that. I won’t forget about that," Embiid said postgame, per the Miami Herald.

The 23-year-old has a long history of back problems as he's missed a considerable amount of time both during his college career and his time in the NBA.

The 76ers star clearly felt that Whiteside targeted his problematic back and he didn't take it kindly at all.

"He hits really soft, so I didn’t feel anything," Embiid said. "But just the action of him trying to like do that I think is pretty messed up."

Over the course of the season, the pair have indicated that they had no animosity towards each other and were simply being competitive on the court and playful off it with their trolling antics.

But with things getting chippy and physical between them for the first time, their friendly-natured beef may have gone out of the window.

This was the last regular season meeting between the teams and unless they square off in the playoffs, they won't play again until next season.

For both teams, that may be a good thing as emotions could run high between the two big men if they meet again soon.

On this occasion, it was Whiteside who won their personal battle as he inspired the Heat to a victory with 28 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.

After this contest, Philadelphia sits sixth in the east with a 35-29 record, with Miami just one place and one game behind at 35-31.

With the two teams holding a significant lead over the ninth-placed Detroit Pistons, they should return to the postseason this year.