76ers
Sixers center Joel Embiid got hit with a $50,000 fine for “making a lewd gesture on the playing court” the NBA announced.
The moment happened in the first quarter of Friday’s one-point loss to the Celtics and was caught on video. It went viral pretty quickly.
The fine won’t make a dent for Embiid. He is earning more than $55 million this season. Through four games he is averaging 17.3 points along with 5.3 rebounds in just 22 minutes per night. His shooting splits are .460 from the field, .389 from three and .800 at the line.
Embiid will not play Sunday in Brooklyn because of left knee injury management. The Sixers are off to a 4-1 start.
Hornets
Hornets star LaMelo Ball is expected to miss his first game of the season Sunday. He is listed as doubtful against Utah because of a right ankle impingement, the team says. Rookie center Ryan Kalkbrenner is also questionable because of a personal matter.
Ball has battled multiple ankle problems over the last few years. This one pops up on the second half of a back-to-back after Charlotte dropped its third straight Saturday in Minnesota.
Charlotte has leaned heavily on Ball early this season. If he sits, that offensive load will shift to Brandon Miller and Grant Williams with more minutes for Tre Mann.
Kings
Kings rookie Nique Clifford was back in the lineup Saturday for the big win in Milwaukee after missing four games with a right hamstring strain, noted Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee.
Clifford’s counting numbers were quiet — three rebounds and one block — but Sacramento was plus-8 in his 16 minutes during the two-point win.
Malik Monk was out for personal reasons, per Sean Cunningham of NBC Sacramento.
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