The Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid has found himself in a lot of trouble — and slapped with a massive fine from the NBA — following what the league called an “obscene” on-court celebration when his team recently scored the victory against the Trail Blazers.
During the Philadelphia game on Sunday against Portland, Embiid got a full-court pass and ended up making a layup as he was fouled, after which he did a WWE-inspired D-Generation X crotch chop, Fox News reported.
The Sixers landed a 126-98 victory over Portland, with Embiid delivering 35 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and six blocks in the game.
Despite the fans’ apparently positive response at the Wells Fargo Center to his celebration, the league on Tuesday fined Embiid $35,000.
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/Rzp9vXCxhP
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) October 31, 2023
NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars announced that “Embiid has been fined $35,000 for repeatedly making an obscene gesture on the playing court,” a post on X read.
“The incident occurred with 2:14 remaining in the third quarter of the 76ers’ 126-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on October 29 at the Wells Fargo Center,” it added.
This isn’t the first time the NBA star has got in trouble for using that particular gesture. In January 2023, the player brought out the crotch chop celebration following the team’s win over the Brooklyn Nets. Afterward, the league issued a $25,000 fine against Embiid.
The official account for NBC Sports Philadelphia posted a clip of some of the “obscene” gesture celebrations by Embiid following his latest fine.
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“After the NBA’s latest fine for Joel Embiid, we look back at all the times he’s gone to the DX chop celebration,” the post on X read.
After the NBA’s latest fine for Joel Embiid, we look back at all the times he’s gone to the DX chop celebration. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/96FY8YuXjg
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) November 1, 2023
The first clip is from April 2021, showing Embiid sliding on his back and then doing the DX crotch chop followed by a similar clip of his gesture from a May 2021 game.
The video then included footage from the January 2023 game in which he was fined $25,000 for doing the crotch chop while standing up. The last clip is from the game on Sunday, October 29.
After the latest fine was announced, WWE’s chief content officer Paul Levesque — also known as Triple H — told Embiid there was a better place for him to show off the celebratory move: WrestleMania 40.
“Hey [JoelEmbiid] — I know a place where you can do that all day, and everyone will love it. [WrestleMania] 40 is right there in Philly …” Triple H wrote on X.
“Yes sir!!” Embiid responded on X. “I would love to but I don’t think I’m gonna be in Philly for that …”
WrestleMania 40 is set for next April at Lincoln Financial Field, Fox News noted.
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