76ers Joel Embid fined $35K for obscene gestures during victory over Trail Blazers
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 22: Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on during a NBA game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bulls on March 22, 2023 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Gett
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia's Joel Embiid has been fined $35,000 by the NBA for repeatedly making an obscene gesture during the 76ers’ victory against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Joe Dumars, the league's executive vice president and head of basketball operations, announced the penalty Tuesday after Embiid, the league's reigning MVP, made four WWE-style crotch chops that sent the crowd into a frenzy on Sunday.
The gestures occurred with 2:14 remaining in the third quarter of the Sixers' 126-98 victory after Embiid took a length-of-the-court pass and made a layup. He finished the game with 35 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and six blocked shots.