Following the Philadelphia 76ers loss to the Toronto Raptors in Game 4, star center Joel Embiid had some comments critical of the NBA's officiating crew. After the game, the Sixers' center could be seen doing a golf clap in the direction of the officials as he walked off towards the locker room. Embiid's comments after the game have now landed him a significant fine from the league, as he's been docked $15,000 over his criticisms of the Game 4 referees, per Adrian Wojnarowski.
NBA fined Joel Embiid $15K for criticism of officials.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 25, 2022
While talking to reporters after the loss, Embiid explained his decision to gesture at the referees with a golf clap.
“Like I was doing at the end of the game, they did a great job,” Embiid said. “I admire the job that they did today. To me, it felt like they had one job coming in here tonight, and they got it done. So, congrats to them.”
Despite Embiid masking his criticisms behind backhanded compliments, his words proved enough to draw a hefty fine from the league, something we're sure the Sixers' star won't be too pleased about.
“I guess, next game, if they're not gonna call it, I'm gonna be even more aggressive offensively and defensively. If they want to give them, like, fouls or if they want to call really no fouls. I've really got to make them earn you and really be physical,” added the Sixers' big-man.
We'll see how his approach changes heading into Game 5. Embiid was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his thumb but plans to play through the injury. With the refs seemingly out to get him, in his mind at least, that's just another challenge he's going to need to overcome.
