The Philadelphia 76ers’ star player, Joel Embiid, has once again found himself in hot water with the NBA. Following a recent victory against the Trail Blazers, Embiid’s on-court celebration has landed him with a massive fine and a reputation for being “obscene.”
The Outrageous Celebration
During a highly anticipated game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Portland Trail Blazers, Joel Embiid showcased his exceptional skills on the court. With a full-court pass, he managed to make an impressive layup despite being fouled. However, it was his post-basket celebration that stole the show. Inspired by the WWE’s D-Generation X, Embiid performed a crotch chop gesture that quickly caught the attention of fans and the league alike.
A Dominant Performance
Embiid’s celebration was not the only remarkable aspect of the game. The Philadelphia 76ers secured a resounding 126-98 victory over the Trail Blazers, largely thanks to Embiid’s outstanding performance. The star player delivered an impressive stat line, recording 35 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and six blocks. His contribution undoubtedly played a significant role in securing the team’s victory.
The NBA’s Reaction
Despite the positive response from fans at the Wells Fargo Center, the NBA took a different stance on Embiid’s celebration. On Tuesday, the league announced a hefty fine of $35,000 for what they deemed to be an “obscene” gesture. NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations, Joe Dumars, released a statement explaining the decision. He highlighted that Embiid repeatedly made the offensive gesture on the court during the game, leading to the fine.
“Embiid has been fined $35,000 for repeatedly making an obscene gesture on the playing court. 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.” – Joe Dumars, NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations.
This is not the first time Embiid has faced consequences for using the same gesture. In January 2023, he received a $25,000 fine from the league for performing the crotch chop celebration after the team’s win against the Brooklyn Nets.
Embiid’s Previous Celebrations
Embiid’s recent fine has drawn attention to his history of provocative celebrations. NBC Sports Philadelphia shared a compilation video showcasing various instances where the player has used the DX chop celebration. The video includes clips from April 2021, where Embiid slides on his back and performs the crotch chop, as well as a similar celebration in a May 2021 game. The footage also features the January 2023 game where Embiid was fined $25,000 for the same offense. Lastly, the video concludes with the most recent incident from the game against the Trail Blazers.
WWE’s Invitation
Following the announcement of Embiid’s fine, Paul Levesque, also known as Triple H, WWE’s chief content officer, extended an invitation to the player. Levesque suggested that WrestleMania 40, set to take place in Philadelphia, would be the perfect venue for Embiid to showcase his celebratory move. Triple H tweeted, “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…” Embiid responded positively, expressing his interest but noting that he may not be in Philadelphia during that time.
