NBA fines Joel Embiid $75,000 for obscene gestures

Philadelphia center Joel Embiid was fined $75,000 by the NBA on Friday for making obscene gestures during the first half of the the 76ers’ 118-114 road victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

Embiid was ejected from Monday’s game vs. San Antonio for arguing with and confronting an official about a foul call, but this fine wasn’t related to that incident. 

According to the league, the $75K penalty is for “making obscene gestures on the playing court” during the first half of Philadelphia’s win in Boston on Wednesday.

The NBA didn’t specify exactly which gestures Embiid was being fined for, but there were a couple candidates captured on ESPN’s broadcast. 

After being fouled on a first-quarter basket, the star center made a subtle crotch-chopping gesture while lying on his back on the court. 

He also appeared to flip off the home crowd after making a three-pointer in the final seconds of the first half.

The fine comes nearly two months after Embiid was suspended for three games without pay for shoving Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes.

Embiid, the 2022-23 MVP, has played only nine games this season. He’s averaging 21.3 points and seven rebounds.

Embiid is questionable to play on Saturday in Utah, with the Sixers’ injury report citing both his sinus fracture and a left foot sprain, notes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.