NBA superstar Joel Embiid has been slowly working his way back into peak condition for the Philadelphia 76ers. Unfortunately, the big man will lose out on some money after being fined by the league for controversial actions in his most recent game.
Embiid was fined $50,000 for making a “lewd gesture” during Friday’s in-season tournament game against the Boston Celtics. NBA Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations James Jones announced the fine Sunday ahead of Philadelphia’s game against the Brooklyn Nets.
Embiid missed that game for injury management as part of the first half of a back-to-back but chimed in with a humorous response on X:
“Y’all better start fining the refs for doing the ‘lewd,’ ‘blocking foul’ gesture since I’m not allowed to do it. #NFL”
Embiid called out NBA officials for getting animated when making calls, particularly during blocking fouls. The NFL hashtag was a curious touch, but it likely referred to the Sunday football games and that league’s players being allowed to celebrate touchdowns creatively.
What Exactly Did Joel Embiid Do?
The taunt used by Embiid drew inspiration from the professional wrestling world, specifically WWE. Popular wrestlers Shawn Michaels and Triple H made the gesture famous as part of the D-Generation X tag team in the late 1990s and mid-2000s. As a longtime wrestling fan, Embiid mimicked their signature “suck it” taunt, pointing toward his crotch area.
The gesture became synonymous with the edgier era of 1990s wrestling and remains closely associated with two of the sport’s biggest stars. Embiid has paid homage to his favorite wrestlers by performing variations of the taunt at different points throughout his career. The NBA has fined him for it in the past, yet he continues to push the envelope.
Embiid even used the gesture during the Olympics, mocking French fans after the United States defeated France in the gold medal game. The NBA appears increasingly frustrated, raising the fine from $35,000 in 2023 to $50,000 in 2025. Embiid will likely face further fines any time he repeats the taunt.
Joel Embiid Has Pro Wrestling Ties
Triple H, who replaced Vince McMahon as WWE’s chief content officer, has gone out of his way to reference Embiid using his trademark taunt in the past. Embiid has expressed his admiration for Triple H beyond the gesture and even invited the wrestling legend to ceremoniously “ring the bell” before a 76ers game.
WWE invited Embiid to attend WrestleMania in Philadelphia, but the former MVP was unable to appear due to injuries and the NBA season taking place at the same time. Embiid uses the taunt as a playful nod to his wrestling fandom and as a way to get under his opponents’ skin, though the NBA dislikes the optics of such a gesture.
Embiid has recently shown positive signs on the court, strengthening his conditioning and increasing his minutes restriction. Fines mean little to wealthy superstars, but Embiid must avoid the more serious risk of suspension, especially given his ongoing battle with missed games and limited playing time compared with most players.
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