Dikembe Mutombo finger wag, explained: Revisiting 1997 game that led to iconic ‘no, no, no’ blocks celebration

Who knew one man would be attached so much to a simple finger motion?

The basketball world was rocked on Monday morning with the news of Dikembe Mutombo’s death. After a lengthy battle with brain cancer, the Hall of Famer passed away at the age of 58 years old. 

Mutombo was one of the most impactful players in NBA history. The No. 4 overall selection in the 1991 NBA Draft, the center made eight All-Star appearances, earned six All-Defensive Team selections, three All-NBA selections and won Defensive Player of the Year a record-setting four times. 

Blocks were incredibly prevalent during Mutombo’s career, so much so that he became known for his signature celebration after denying an opponent at the rim. The legacy of his finger wag was born during his playing days, but it lived on even after he retired. 

Here is more to know about Mutombo’s finger wag. 

MORE: NBA world mourns the death of Dikembe Mutombo

Dikembe Mutombo finger wag, explained

Mutombo was known to be a defensive specialist. He averaged over 10 rebounds and two blocks per game, leading to his four Defensive Player of the Year nods. 

The birth of the finger wag stemmed from a game on April 9, 1997, between Mutombo’s Hawks and the 76ers. The Atlanta superstar denied Philadelphia not once, not twice, but three times in a row on Philadelphia’s Clarence Weatherspoon, taunting him with a finger wag as he put him through the wringer. 

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) April 9, 2022

As a result, his infamous “No, no, no!” line was created. Mutombo explained that the origin of the wag started when the NBA changed the rules that you could not taunt an opponent to their face. Instead of pointing the digit at his victim after a block, the center would turn to the crowd and wiggle his finger back and forth in their direction. 

It was a way for Mutombo to connect with the fans. He leaned into it, as it became a staple to his game, and it’s something that is still popular among sports fans more than 25 years later.

Dikembe Mutombo commercial and GIF

The finger wag took on a life of its own. The wagging of the pointer finger became synonymous with the defensive stalwart.

While Mutombo used it multiple times on the court, it’s possible that the younger audience remembers it from the infamous Geico commercial. Mutombo starred in an advertisement for the insurance company, going around blocking people from completing tasks in their daily lives, including throwing out trash and putting items into a grocery cart. 

From the commercial came the infamous GIF of Mutombo tainting his victim with his finger. 

Dikembe Mutombo height

Mutombo was a giant. Listed at 7-2, he is one of the tallest players to ever play in the NBA, as he is on the short list of members in the 7-foot club. 

Dikembe Mutombo stats

Here is a look at Mutombo’s averages during his NBA career:

• Games: 1,196
• Points: 9.8
• Rebounds: 10.3
• Assists: 1.0
• Steals: 0.4
• Blocks: 2.8
• FG%: 51.8
• 3PT%: 0.0
• FT%: 68.4