Joel Embiid Fined $50,000 for Lewd Gesture, Managing Knee Injury with Rest

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was fined $50,000 by the NBA for a "lewd gesture" (crotch chop/DX chop) made during the first quarter of the October 31 loss to the Boston Celtics after scoring an and-one. This marks multiple times he's been fined for the "obscene" celebration. Embiid responded on X, suggesting referees should also be fined for similar gestures. He scored 20 points in that game, his third consecutive 20+ point outing. Embiid, the 2022-23 MVP, has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Nets and also missed an Oct. 27 game for rest, as the team cautiously manages his surgically-repaired knee. He is expected back for the Nov. 4 game against the Bulls, but with two back-to-backs in Week 3, he is likely to play only two games. The 76ers are 4-1 with Embiid averaging 17.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in over 22 minutes, showing more explosiveness this season.