Embiid pays Alvarado's $2K fine after altercation

Joel Embiid and Jose Alvarado received double technical fouls after getting into an altercation during Tuesday's game between the Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans.

Both players were fined for receiving technical fouls due to the incident, although Embiid offered to cover Alvarado's $2,000 penalty. The 76ers star said Alvarado's work ethic played a part in his decision to help out the undrafted guard.

"I just like his energy. He plays hard. He competes. Even when he picked up the tech, he wasn't backing down," Embiid said following the 76ers' 105-87 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, according to ESPN's Andrew Lopez.

Embiid added: "After the game, I just went up to him and told him to keep fighting and keep it going and obviously, that other part. ... I just felt like the least I can do because I made him pick up a tech and he doesn't make as much as other guys in the league."

Alvarado is earning $462,629 this season on a two-way contract, which pales in comparison to Embiid's $31.6-million salary. The Georgia Tech product said he and Embiid share mutual respect following the skirmish.

"It was all heat of the moment. Nothing personal," Alvarado said of the incident. "It was just two ballplayers going at it."