76ers' Joel Embiid Fined $50K by NBA for 'Lewd Gesture' in Loss to Celtics

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was fined $50,000 for making a "lewd gesture" toward the crowd during the Sixers' 109-108 Friday night loss to the visiting Boston Celtics.

Embiid used the celebration after hitting 16-foot jumper to put the Sixers up 13-9 about five minutes into the first quarter of both teams' NBA Cup opener.

Embiid responded by telling the NBA to "start fining" officials instead.

The Sixers ultimately conceded defeat Friday after Tyrese Maxey missed a potential game-winning shot in the final five seconds of the loss.

Embiid has been using the gesture, originally popularized by WWE's D-Generation X, for years.

Both Triple H and Shawn Michaels responded positively to Embiid's use of the gesture in 2023.

"It's no secret that Triple H is my guy," Embiid said when asked about the gesture in January 2023, per NBC Sports Philadelphia's Noah Levick. "And obviously DX, when I used to watch wrestling, those were my guys. Anytime I get the chance."

The NBA has meanwhile been consistently fining Embiid for use of the celebration. At this point the Sixers star has racked up a total of at least $185,000 for his use of obscene gestures.

Embiid was assessed a $75,000 fine last December for multiple gestures, apparently including the same DX celebration, in a win over the Celtics.

He previously received a $25,000 fine for using the gesture in a January 2023 win over the Brooklyn Nets and a $35,000 penalty after celebrating during an October 2023 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Embiid has made his return to the Sixers this fall after multiple injuries that sidelined him for most of the last two seasons.

He has so far averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per night while playing four games under a 20-minute playing time restriction.

The Sixers meanwhile opened the season with a four-game winning streak before conceding their first loss of the campaign to the Celtics. The team is heading into Sunday afternoon's matchup at the Nets with a 4-1 record, good for second in the Eastern Conference.