Entertainment
Joel Embiid of the 76ers was suspended by the NBA for three games for shoving a newspaper columnist
NEW YORK (AP) – Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was suspended by the NBA for three games without pay on Tuesday pushing a media representative.
Embiid’s suspension will begin the next regular season game during which he’s eligible and capable of play. The 2023 NBA MVP has yet to play this season resulting from what the 76ers call left knee management.
The Sixers begin their road game in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Wednesday night.
Embiid shouted and eventually shoved a columnist during a locker room altercation Saturday night.
“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and the media in the NBA,” league executive Joe Dumars said in a statement announcing the suspension. “While we understand that Joel was offended by the personal nature of the reporter’s original version of the column, interactions must remain professional on both sides and must never become physical.”
Embiid had a falling out with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who, in a column questioning Embiid’s professionalism and lack of fitness following his performance at the Paris Olympics, mentioned the seven-time All-Star’s deceased brother and son – each named Arthur.
As reporters entered the locker room to seek advice from players after a 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, the two-time NBA scoring champion stood up and faced Hayes.
“Next time you mention my dead brother and son again, you’ll see what I’ll do to you and I’ll have to… live with the consequences,” Embiid told Hayes.
Embiid continued by giving several examples of profanity in the next few sentences. Hayes apologized, which Embiid didn’t want. “It’s not… the first time,” Embiid said.
Embiid later said he didn’t care what reporters said. “But you do,” Hayes replied.
Embiid appeared to get louder at this point and shortly thereafter shoved Hayes in the shoulder while the team’s head of public relations stood between them. Another PR man moved Tyrese Maxey’s interview to the hallway outside the locker room in an try and clear the reporters.
Embiid was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft, but missed his first two full seasons resulting from injuries. Since his first full season in 2016, he has played 433 of a possible 805 regular-season games and only 59 of a possible 67 playoff games.