The NBA suspended Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid for three games on Tuesday for shoving a columnist in the team’s locker room.
After an investigation, the league confirmed reports that Embiid shoved a member of the media Saturday night during the media’s post-game locker room access following a 76ers loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Embiid’s suspension will begin with the next game “for which he is eligible and able to play,” according to the NBA, pushing back his season debut even further.
“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” Joe Dumars, the league’s head of basketball operations, said in a news release. “While we understand Joel was offended by the personal nature of the original version of the reporter’s column, interactions must remain professional on both sides and can never turn physical.”
Embiid has yet to play this season while fighting pain in his surgically repaired left knee, yet he already has received a technical foul and a suspension. The post-game technical came for waving a towel in the air while an opponent was attempting a free throw.
Saturday’s scenario was far more serious. Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes had taken aim at Embiid for his lack of availability, invoking Embiid’s son and his late brother Arthur in saying the former league MVP is letting people down.
Embiid made clear before the game against the Grizzlies that he was unhappy with Hayes for the column. On Saturday, Hayes returned to the 76ers’ locker room, and he and Embiid got into what one eyewitness called “a verbal back-and-forth” featuring profanity.
Another report from the locker room added that Embiid said, “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 turned down Hayes’ attempt at an apology, after which Embiid reportedly shoved Hayes on the shoulder.
–Field Level Media
