The NBA has suspended Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid for three games following a locker room altercation with a columnist on Nov. 2.
The incident took place in the locker room after Philadelphia’s 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the NBA handed Embiid a three-game ban for shoving columnist Marcus Hayes.
The Associated Press initially reported that Embiid confronted the Philadelphia Inquirer columnist over an article he wrote referring to his late brother and his son.
‘The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you are going to see what I’m going to do to you and I’m going to have to… live with the consequences,’ Embiid reportedly said.
The NBA suspended 76ers star Joel Embiid for three games after he assaulted a reporter
The 2023 NBA MVP then continued to use profanity in conversation with Hayes. When the reporter offered to apologize, Embiid did not accept and said ‘That’s not the f****** first time.’
Later, Embiid said that he doesn’t care what reporters say – leading Hayes to respond, ‘But you do.’
Reports say that Embiid then got louder and pushed Hayes’ shoulder before the 76ers’ public relations chief interfered.
When a team representative asked the media not to report on the incident, Embiid yelled, ‘They can do whatever they want, I don’t give a s***.’
An NBA spokesperson told The Athletic’s Sam Amick, ‘We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers locker room this evening and are commencing an investigation.’
Hayes recently wrote a column claiming that Embiid disrespects the 76ers and the game of basketball – going so far as to suggest that the Sixers should give fans refunds when the former MVP doesn’t play.
Embiid has not played in any games for the 76ers this season while dealing with a knee injury
Embiid last played competitive basketball in Paris, helping the Americans win gold medals
The claim comes as Embiid is yet to suit up this season while dealing with a knee injury. Embiid’s last competitive game came when he helped Team USA bag gold at the Paris Olympics.
On Friday, the seven-time All-Star went on an explicit rant about the criticism he receives and specifically called out Hayes during his rant.
‘When I see people say ‘he does not wanna play,’ I’ve done way too much for this city, putting myself at risk for people to be saying that. I do think this is bulls***,’ Embiid said.
‘Like that dude, he’s not here, Marcus, I’ve done way too much for this f***ing city to be treated like this. Done way too f***ing much. I wish I was as lucky as the other ones, but that does not mean I’m not doing whatever it takes to be out there, which I’m gonna be.’
Suspicions about his absence led the NBA to fine the 76ers $100,000 on Tuesday. The charge came after team president Daryl Morey and head coach Nick Nurse made inconsistent public statements about Embiid’s health.
However, it was later reported that they did not break the player participation policy.
Besides Embiid, newly acquired star Paul George is also out with a knee injury after a hyperextension during the preseason.
The 76ers are 1-5 this season with back-to-back games against the Clippers and Lakers on deck.
