Sixers’ Joel Embiid assessed a technical foul without even playing

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has yet to play a game this season, but he’s already received his first technical foul.

The NBA announced on Monday it has assessed Embiid a technical foul for his actions on the sideline during Sunday’s game between Philadelphia and the Indiana Pacers. In overtime of the contest, Indiana guard Andrew Nembhard was about to attempt a free throw when Embiid, on the bench, waved a towel. Nembhard missed the free throw and Embiid celebrated.

No foul was called on Embiid during the game, which ended in a 118-114 win for the 76ers. However, the league reviewed the footage and assessed the technical foul.

‘Embiid waves a towel on the bench in an attempt to disconcert the free throw shooter. A technical foul should have been assessed,’ the NBA said in its last-two minute report.

While the technical foul didn’t hurt the 76ers in the victory nor Embiid, it does count toward his season total. If a player receives 16 technical fouls in a season, they are suspended for one game. However, Embiid has never received that many technical fouls in one season during his NBA career.

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Embiid is currently sidelined with a knee injury, but is expected to make his 2024-25 season debut this week.