76ers C Joel Embiid fined $75K for obscene gestures

The NBA fined Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid $75,000 for making obscene gestures toward the Boston Celtics’ home crowd during their game on Christmas Day.

NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars announced the discipline on Friday night.

It’s been a frustrating campaign for Embiid, who has played in just nine of Philadelphia’s 28 games. He’s missed time with injuries to his knee and face, and he was suspended for three games early in the season after shoving a reporter in the locker room after a game.

However, the 76ers beat the Celtics 118-114 on Wednesday to improve to 8-3 in their past 11 games. It was just the sixth time that Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and offseason acquisition Paul George all played in the same game amid their slew of injuries.

Embiid had 27 points and nine rebounds for Philadelphia on Christmas. The former league MVP is averaging 21.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game this season.