Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was fined $50,000 by the NBA for making a crotch-grabbing gesture during Friday night’s game against the Boston Celtics.
The league said the 30-year-old, who won the 2023 NBA MVP, made the lewd gesture while celebrating an and-one basket in the first quarter and directed it toward the Boston crowd. The act was deemed a violation of the NBA’s conduct policy.
This incident continues a pattern of penalties for similar behavior. Embiid was previously fined $25,000 in January 2023, $35,000 in October 2023, and $75,000 in December 2024 for comparable celebrations.
In response to the latest sanction, Embiid took to social media to mock the league’s stance, suggesting referees should be fined for their own gestures. His post drew rapid attention and renewed debate among fans over whether the NBA is enforcing rules too strictly or applying them consistently.
On the court, Embiid remains one of the league’s top performers, averaging better than 30 points per game and continuing to serve as the face of the Sixers franchise.