THTP: NBA Deep State fines Joel Embiid for ‘lewd gesture’ during Boston Celtics on Friday

They Hate The Process. If you’ve been paying attention, you probably know that already. The NBA Deep State is at it again, dishing Joel Embiid a $50,000 fine for an alleged ‘lewd gesture’ made during the Sixers 109-108 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday night in South Philadelphia.

The alleged incident happened midway through the first quarter after Embiid got fouled, hit the shot, and celebrated with a DX-style crotch chop, which we all know is a move made famous by WWE legends D-Generation X.

The officials missed it in real time, likely because they were too busy pretending not to notice. Embiid went on to hit his free throw, completing the three-point play and giving Philly an early spark before the eventual late-game heartbreak.

The NBA Deep State is Real

The Joel Embiid lewd gesture vs the Celtics https://t.co/8mobSOOrk7 pic.twitter.com/0bdCtZuhff

— Ian Inangelo (@iinangelo) November 2, 2025

The NBA has fined Joel Embiid $50,000 for making a “lewd gesture” on the court.

The NBA has fined Joel Embiid $50,000 for making a “lewd gesture” on the court.pic.twitter.com/QGautzY8uy

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 2, 2025

The fine came two days later, with the league calling the move “lewd,” which led Joel Embiid to fire back with a perfectly reasonable question: if the crotch chop is so inappropriate, then why do referees basically make the same motion when signaling a blocking foul?

He’s not wrong.

For years, the Sixers big man has made the crotch chop a signature celebration, one that even got the seal of approval from Triple H himself, who once helped hype up Embiid and the team during the postseason. The crowd eats it up every time. The NBA, not so much.

HE’S BACK: Joel Embiid breaks out the ‘suck it’ celly as the entire Sixers roster trolls Wizards fan after comeback win in D.C. last night

Still, it’s hard to imagine Embiid retiring the move anytime soon. For $50,000, he got an entire city laughing and a fresh round of memes that might just make the fine worth it.

THEY HATE THE PROCESS

Joel Embiid finished that game with 20 points, marking his third straight 20-point outing to start the season. He’s looked strong and more explosive coming off last year’s knee surgery, though the Sixers are managing his workload carefully. He sat out the Oct. 27 win over the Magic and was out again Sunday night against the Nets.

The Philadelphia 76ers are 5-1 to start the season, sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference. What a world.

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