Joel Embiid’s WWE-inspired celebration during Wednesday’s 137–133 win over the Nets has come back to bite the 76ers star after the NBA decided to penalize him for his actions.
On Friday, the league announced Embiid has received a $25,000 fine for “making an obscene gesture on the playing court” in the third quarter of Philadelphia’s victory over Brooklyn at Wells Fargo Center. However, the news of the fine may come as a surprise to Embiid and Sixers fans after he didn’t receive a technical foul for what became one of the standout viral moments from Wednesday’s slate of NBA action.
Inspired by the signature taunt of the legendary WWE faction, Degeneration-X, the “obscene gesture” in question came after Embiid made a layup and drew the foul to put the 76ers up 92–77. Shortly after converting the and-1, Embiid paid homage to DX by turning to the crowd to deliver three crotch chops, much to the delight of the Philadelphia faithful.
