Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been fined $25,000 for making an obscene gesture during a game and using profane language during a live television interview, the NBA announced Wednesday.
Embiid's hand gesture occurred with 17 seconds left in Monday's 129-112 win over the Atlanta Hawks. With time winding down, Atlanta's Kevin Huerter approached from behind Embiid and stole the ball, prompting Embiid to flash a middle finger at Huerter.
Embiid, who scored a career-high 49 points, later apologized for the gesture.
After the game, Embiid made a profane remark while discussing his comment from last week about being the best player in the world.
"Yeah, I believe I am. But when I made that statement, I didn't actually say that I was," he said. "I said that being with some of the best players in the world [at the All-Star Game], I proved myself. That's what I said. But yeah, f--- it. My bad. I do believe it."
The NBA said Embiid's fine was based on prior multiple violations of "acceptable on-court decorum."