Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Joel Embiid Reacts after NBA Fines him $50,000 for “Lewd Gesture” During Loss to Boston Celtics

This isn't the first time Embiid has been fined for his gesture.

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Philadelphia 76ers’ star Joel Embiid sparked fresh NBA controversy by reacting to the latest $50,000 penalty imposed on him for his “lewd gesture”. On Sunday, the league’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations, Jam Jones announced a fine on the star center for his gesture during the 109-108 loss to the Boston Celtics. During the first half of the game, Embiid scored while getting fouled, and made the famous “Degeneration X chop” gesture.

The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/yFshBPjMpr
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) November 2, 2025

The league didn’t take much time to respond and announced a $50,000 fine for his “lewd gesture”. Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time that Embiid has been fined for this gesture. Earlier in January 2023, he was fined $25,000, and later $35,000 in October 2023, and $75,000 in December 2024.

Joel Embiid Responds After Being Fined by NBA

After the announcement, Embiid took to X to respond to the fine and pointed out that referees often use a similar hand motion to signal a blocking foul. He tweeted, “Yall better start fining the refs for doing the “Lewd”, “blocking foul” gesture since I’m not allowed to do it #NFL” Considering the history of hefty fines he had to pay along with his latest response, it seems that Embiid isn’t retiring the move.

The 2023 MVP has talked about his fandom of wrestling in the past, especially Triple H and the entire DX team. “There’s no secret that Triple H is my guy,” the seven-time All-Star said in 2023. “Obviously, DX, when I used to watch wrestling, those were my guys. Any time I get the chance, I haven’t done it in a while so I just felt like it was a good and-1. I got the ball, I didn’t even see the rim, and I felt like it was deserving of a good celebration.”

Talking about his current campaign, after being limited to only 19 games in the previous season with a knee injury. Embiid made a fresh start in the ongoing season. He helped the 76ers to four-straight wins before suffering a close defeat to the Boston Celtics. Currently, he is averaging 17.3 points per game, along with 5.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, shooting 46.0% from the field and 38.9% from the three-point range.

He missed his second game of the season due to left knee injury management as the Nets locked horns with the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, November 2.

Joel Embiid

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.