Image Source: NBA.com
[Saba Sports News] Joel Embiid managed a rare feat: earning a technical foul without even stepping on the court this season.
On Monday, the NBA announced that the 76ers star received a retroactive tech for his actions from the bench during Sunday’s game against the Pacers.
With 16.4 seconds left in overtime and the 76ers up 114-111, Embiid, inactive and dressed in street clothes, stood near the bench, yelling and waving a towel as Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard took a free throw. Nembhard missed, and Philly went on to win 118-114.
According to Section V of the NBA rulebook, a technical can be given to any player, on or off the court, for conduct deemed “detrimental to the game,” including actions by inactive players. That was the basis for Embiid’s retroactive foul.
Embiid has missed all three games this season due to “left knee injury management.” With an NBA investigation into his playing status and now this towel-waving incident, the 76ers aren’t exactly on great terms with the league right now.