NBA fined Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid $35K for ‘obscene gesture’

Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons – CC BY-SA

The NBA has fined Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid $35,000 for an “obscene gesture” during the Sixers’ match against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

The incident transpired in the last two minutes of the third quarter when Embiid made a two-point basket. Trail Blazers shooting guard Malcolm Brogdon then fouled the ball.

Despite missing a free throw after his two-point basket, Embiid and the Sixers prevailed over the Blazers with a 126-98 victory.

Following the match, Embiid performed retired WWE wrestler Triple H’s signature “crotch chop” gesture to express his joy.

The gesture is known as a “suck it” taunt against losing opponents that the D-Generation X wrestling tag team commonly uses, with Triple H and Shawn Michaels being the most prominent examples.

Upon learning that Embiid had been fined by the NBA, Triple H invited Embiid to the two-day WrestleMania 40 event in Philadelphia on April 6–7, 2024.

“Hey @JoelEmbiid – I know a place where you can do that all day, and everyone will love it. @WrestleMania 40 is right there in Philly…,” said Triple H on his X post.

Despite the invitation, Embiid said on X that he wouldn’t be in the city to attend the event.

Tribute to childhood idol

The incident is not the first time Embiid has used the gesture after prominent wins.

Embiid performed another DX “crotch chop” following his team’s 137-133 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in January 2023.

He also made a remixed video of his “crotch chop” gesture during the game, accompanied by DX’s theme song as a response to Nets star Kevin Durant’s less-than-pleased comment on X for Embiid’s antics.

Embiid ended up with a $25,000 fine by the NBA following the January 2023 match. Triple H came to his defense after his $25,000 fine by offering financial assistance for any future celebrations.

The Sixers’ center attributed his “crotch chop” gestures after each win to his fandom for Triple H and his tag team during childhood. Embiid thought making the gesture following each victory was appropriate, including the one he made after the Sixers’ win over the Blazers.

Embiid’s fandom for Triple H and DX paid off when he earned the chance to lead his idol to ring the bell before Game 1 with the Atlanta Hawks in 2021.