Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was hit with a technical foul on Monday following his enthusiastic towel-waving celebration near the team’s bench during their Sunday night win over the Indiana Pacers. Embiid, who sat out the game due to knee management, cheered on his teammates from the sidelines in the final moments of the 76ers’ 118-114 overtime victory, reported by CBS News.
Embiid’s exuberance caught the attention of both fans and opponents. As 76ers guard Andrew Nembhard took crucial free throws with less than 20 seconds left, Embiid, stationed near the baseline, began waving a towel in celebration. Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, clearly unimpressed by Embiid’s antics, pointed to the big man while pleading with an official to call a foul. The official did not make the call, and the 76ers ultimately secured the four-point victory.
Though Embiid has yet to make his season debut, this sideline moment has already put him in the spotlight. The 76ers are managing his activity due to knee concerns, describing his absence as “left knee management.” Last season, Embiid’s playing time was limited to 39 games, but he returned for the playoffs and played a significant role in Team USA’s gold medal run at the Paris Olympics. Determined to stay healthier this year, Embiid reportedly lost over 25 pounds during the offseason.
The NBA has opened an investigation into the 76ers regarding their management of Embiid’s participation, assessing whether his absence might conflict with the league’s load management rules, which were introduced in 2023. The 76ers maintain that Embiid hasn’t suffered any new injury and that he is “progressing,” though he remains “not quite ready yet.”
While Embiid’s return date is still uncertain, his teammates stepped up in his absence. Tyrese Maxey took charge, leading the 76ers with an impressive 45 points on 14-of-32 shooting, helping secure the team’s first win of the season. Caleb Martin contributed 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Eric Gordon added 15 points off the bench. Paul George, who joined Philadelphia this offseason, also missed the game due to a bone bruise, marking another notable absence on the 76ers’ roster.
Embiid’s towel-waving moment may have drawn the league’s attention, but the team remains hopeful that his dedication to conditioning and knee management will allow him to return soon, providing the 76ers with the on-court presence they need to compete this season.