The NBA world just got another dose of chaos and this time, it’s courtesy of Joel Embiid, the reigning MVP and self-proclaimed “Troll King” of the league.
The NBA world just got another dose of chaos and this time, it’s courtesy of Joel Embiid, the reigning MVP and self-proclaimed “Troll King” of the league.
According to multiple reports, the NBA has fined Embiid $50,000 for what they’re calling a “lewd gesture” made during Wednesday night’s heated matchup. The move which instantly went viral online had fans divided between laughter and disbelief.
Moments after a clutch and-one play, Embiid turned to the opposing bench and celebrated in a… let’s just say NSFW way. Cameras caught everything, and by morning, the league office had dropped the fine faster than Embiid drops defenders.
💸 $50,000 for a Hip Thrust?
Fans couldn’t help but crack jokes about the fine’s ridiculousness. Social media flooded with memes of Embiid counting out $50K in Monopoly money and photoshopped images of him signing a check mid-game.
“That’s like a 2-minute paycheck for Embiid,” one user joked.
“Bro just paid $50K to taunt in HD,” another posted.
It’s not the first time the Sixers superstar has gotten in trouble for celebrating a bit too passionately. The league has fined him multiple times for taunting opponents, flexing too hard, or trolling referees. But this latest one? It’s got fans calling it “The Most Expensive Thrust in NBA History.”
🧠 The Gesture That Shook the Internet
The controversial moment came in the second quarter when Embiid drew a foul and scored through contact. Hyped up, he turned toward the crowd and pulled off what looked suspiciously like the iconic “DX crotch chop” from WWE.
Referees didn’t react immediately, but the video went viral within minutes. By the time the post-game press conference rolled around, every sports meme page on Instagram had posted the clip with captions like “Joel Triple H Embiid” and “He’s ready to WrestleMania.”
Even former WWE stars chimed in. Triple H himself reposted the clip with a laughing emoji, writing:
“Guess I’ve got competition in Philly.”
🏀 Embiid’s Response: “I Was Just Having Fun”
When reporters asked him about the fine, Embiid smiled and said,
“It’s all love. I was just having fun out there. You can’t fine me for having fun.
But the league disagreed. NBA Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars released a brief statement calling the act “inappropriate and unsportsmanlike.”
Still, even Dumars’ statement couldn’t stop fans from clowning on the situation. Many pointed out that the NBA has always been inconsistent with punishments some players get ejected for celebrating, while others go viral with no consequences.
📊 NBA Fine History Embiid Joins Elite Company
Joel Embiid’s $50K penalty puts him alongside names like Draymond Green, Russell Westbrook, and Ja Morant, who’ve all been fined similar amounts for “on-court behavior.”
But get this it’s reportedly the fourth-largest fine of his career, behind incidents where he cursed on live TV, mimicked a referee, and taunted opposing fans.
Despite the fines, Embiid’s passion remains part of what makes him one of the NBA’s most entertaining figures. Whether he’s dropping 50-points or trolling opponents with his signature grin, fans agree the league is more fun when Embiid’s being Embiid.
Fan Reactions Break the Internet
Social media turned into a battlefield after the news broke.
Some fans demanded the NBA “lighten up,” while others said the punishment was fair.
“Let the man celebrate he just hit an and-one!” one fan wrote.
“$50K for a gesture kids see on TikTok every day?” another replied.
One post joked that Embiid should start a GoFundMe called ‘Pay My Fine’, and within hours, fake screenshots appeared showing “donations” from James Harden and Jimmy Butler.
🔥 NBA Double Standards or Justified Call?
Many fans used the moment to criticize what they see as double standards in how the league handles player behavior. When stars like LeBron or Curry celebrate loudly, it’s “passion.” When Embiid does it, it’s “lewd.”
That debate fueled hours of sports radio segments and countless fan videos breaking down frame-by-frame replays of the celebration.
Even former players like Patrick Beverley and Draymond Green chimed in online, saying the league has “gone soft.”
🏆 Philly Stands Behind Their Star
While critics argue about decorum, Philly fans did what Philly fans always do they stood by their guy.
Crowds at the next home game were already planning to chant “Fifty-K! Fifty-K!” every time Embiid touches the ball.
For them, the fine only adds to Embiid’s legend as the league’s most unapologetic superstar a player who plays hard, talks louder, and never pretends to be anyone else.
🏀 Final Take: The NBA Needs Joel Embiid
Love him or hate him, Joel Embiid is a show unto himself. He’s a 7-foot comedian, a MVP-caliber beast, and the reason millions still tune in to watch the Sixers every night.
If you fine that out of the game, you don’t just punish a player you punish the entertainment value of the NBA itself.
So yeah $50,000 down the drain. But as fans joke, for Embiid, that’s just the price of being the league’s most entertaining villain.