Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been slapped with a $75,000 fine by the NBA for making obscene gestures during a recent match against the Boston Celtics, as reported by CBS News Philadelphia. The incident occurred during the first half of the Sixers' 118-114 victory over the Celtics last Wednesday. Embiid, a notable force in the league and the 2023 MVP, has only played nine games this season but is averaging 21.3 points and 7 rebounds.
Adding to his rocky season, nearly two months ago, Embiid found himself suspended for three games without pay after a physical altercation with Marcus Hayes, a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Despite having his own troubeles, during warmups before the Wednesday game, Embiid made headlines again when he fell on the parquet floor. However, he shook off the tumble, staying in the starting lineup and putting up 27 points and nine rebounds in a 31-minute performance, according to information obtained from 6abc.com.
The fine also carries a certain déjà vu as Embiid has faced monetary consequences for similar behavior in the past. Sports Illustrated notes that Embiid had previously been fined $35,000 for the same gesture against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 29, 2023. After the win against Boston, Embiid was seen waving goodbye to the Celtics fans, a move that added fuel to the storied rivalry between these two historic teams.
The Celtics, however, appeared unfazed by the setback and charged to a decisive victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday, with a current season record of 23-8, as reported by Sports Illustrated. The Sixers and Celtics are poised for more nail-biting clashes, with their next faceoff scheduled for a February 2nd national broadcast on ESPN. Embiid and the 76ers are on the road again to meet the Utah Jazz on Saturday night, with another opportunity for Embiid to contribute significantly on the court, despite his off-court distractions.
