
Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has been handed a $75,000 fine, according to an official announcement from the NBA.
The disciplinary action, detailed in a league press release, pertains to actions during Wednesday’s road game against the Boston Celtics.
The fine is not related to Embiid’s ejection in a previous game against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, where he was tossed for arguing with and confronting a referee over a foul call.
Instead, the league stated that this penalty is for “making obscene gestures on the playing court” during the first half of the Sixers’ victory in Boston.
While the NBA did not clarify which gestures specifically led to the fine, two notable incidents during the game were caught on ESPN’s broadcast.
In the first quarter, after being fouled while scoring a basket, Embiid made a subtle “crotch chop” gesture while lying on the court, an act visible in a widely circulated video clip.
Later, as the first half was winding down, the All-Star center appeared to flip off the crowd after hitting a three-pointer in the closing seconds before halftime.
Both incidents drew attention on social media and likely contributed to the league’s decision.
This is not the first time Embiid has faced fines for similar behavior. He was previously penalized during both the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons for making obscene gestures, with crotch-chopping cited as the specific action in those cases as well.
The recurrence of this behavior, coupled with the high-profile nature of a Christmas Day game, may have played a role in the league imposing a steeper penalty this time.
For the big man, whose cap hit for the current season stands at approximately $51.4 million, the fine is a relatively minor financial setback.
However, it serves as another reminder of the NBA’s strict policies regarding conduct on the court, especially during marquee games broadcast to a national audience.
In addition to this disciplinary action, Embiid’s status for Saturday’s game in Utah remains uncertain.
The Sixers’ injury report lists him as questionable due to both a sinus fracture and a left foot sprain, via Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Joel Embiid Fined $75K By NBA https://t.co/y5QtxiAI1G pic.twitter.com/hwws5X4dJW
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) December 28, 2024