Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has once again found himself in the middle of controversy — and he isn’t holding back. The reigning MVP was hit with a hefty $50,000 fine by the NBA after performing a “lewd gesture” during Friday night’s narrow 109-108 loss to the Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center.
Late in the first quarter, after drawing a foul and scoring on an and-one play, Embiid turned toward the crowd and celebrated with his signature “crotch-chop” gesture — a move inspired by the wrestling group D-Generation X. The celebration, while familiar to fans, was quickly flagged by the league as a violation of its standards for player conduct.
The NBA announced the fine the following day, citing Embiid for making “an obscene gesture” during live play. The Sixers’ star, however, was quick to fire back on social media, mocking the decision with a jab of his own.
“Y’all better start fining the refs for doing the ‘lewd, blocking foul’ gesture since I’m not allowed to do it,” Embiid wrote, referencing the similar hip-thrust motion referees use when signaling blocking fouls.
This isn’t the first time the All-Star center has been fined for the same celebration. Over the years, Embiid has been penalized several times for similar incidents, with total fines for the move now adding up to nearly $185,000. Despite that history, the Sixers’ big man remains unapologetic, often saying he does it to fire up fans and keep basketball “fun.”
The NBA’s disciplinary decision has sparked debate among players and fans. Supporters of Embiid argue that his passion and personality are part of what makes him one of the league’s most entertaining figures, while critics claim the repeated fines show poor judgment and unnecessary showboating.
For Philadelphia fans, the moment was classic Embiid — fiery, emotional, and unfiltered. While his gesture may have cost him another $50,000, it also reminded the city why he remains one of the most charismatic and talked-about athletes in the game.
The 76ers will continue their early-season stretch this week, and all eyes will be on whether Embiid tones down his celebrations — or doubles down on being himself.
