Joel Embiid fined $25,000 for giving the middle finger, using profanity after win against Hawks
Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid had to know a fine was coming. Players can’t throw up the middle finger during a game and expect to avoid punishment.
The NBA fined Embiid $25,000 for that gesture. The league announced the fine Wednesday, saying Embiid was fined for “making an obscene gesture and using profane language during a live television interview.”
Did Joel Embiid give Kevin Huerter the finger after he stole this ball? I don’t blame Huerter at all, btw pic.twitter.com/JeXuECcEY4
— SCOUTWITHBRYAN (@ScoutWithBryan) February 25, 2020
Why did Joel Embiid flip off Kevin Huerter?
The incident took place near the end of the 76ers’ 129-112 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. With time running out, and the 76ers leading by 17 points, Embiid had the ball and was prepared to run down the clock.
Hawks guard Kevin Huerter didn’t see it that way. With Embiid sitting at 49 points, Huerter assumed Embiid would throw up a last-second shot to reach 50 points. The 21-year-old Huerter stole the ball from Embiid in the closing seconds, preventing that milestone.
After the ball was stolen, Embiid flipped off Huerter. After the game, Embiid explained he was just trying to run out the clock. He took issue with Huerter going all out with the game out of reach.
What did Joel Embiid say after the game?
Once the game was over, the 25-year-old Embiid dropped an f-bomb on live television. He also apologized for giving Huerter the finger.
Embiid: “I didn’t exactly say that (that I was the best player in the world l) but you know what, f^%* it. I feel like that. And I want to say sorry about that at the end of the game. Y’all probably saw that.”
Embiid gave Huerter the finger.— Amy Fadool Kane (@amyfadoolNBCS) February 25, 2020
On the court, Embiid has been firing on all cylinders lately. Over his past five games, Embiid is averaging 31.8 points and 12.4 rebounds per contest.
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