NBA calls Joel Embiid a technical foul after benching free throws against Pacers

Joel Embiid has yet to play a single game in the 2024-25 NBA season, but he has already been charged with a technical foul.

Embiid is currently sidelined with a knee injury, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t contributed to his team. During the Philadelphia 76ers’ 118-114 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, Embiid did something to get himself in trouble with the league.

When Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard attempted a free throw late in overtime, Embiid waved a towel to deflect it. Officials didn’t call him for it during the game, but the league reviewed the video and gave him a technical.

Footage of the incident can be seen at this link.

It’s against the rules, but it’s also a pretty silly technical foul. It doesn’t help the Pacers, and it doesn’t really hurt Embiid. Nembhard missed the free throw and Indiana lost the game. They will not recover this loss.

It’s worth noting that Embiid would need 15 more technical fouls to get suspended. He had six last season and seven during the 2022-23 campaign, so it’s unlikely that will come back to haunt him.