Joel Embiid: Philadelphia 76ers star investigated by NBA after alleged physical altercation with local journalist
By Flo Clifford
Updated 17/12/2024 at 16:10 GMT
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The NBA is to investigate the actions of Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid after he allegedly got into a physical altercation with a local journalist on Saturday. Embiid is accused of shouting at Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes and shoving him after the latter wrote a critical column, which referenced the player's son and late brother.
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Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid will be investigated by the NBA after allegedly shouting at and shoving a local journalist after taking issue with a critical column.
According to ESPN, he confronted Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes as reporters entered the locker room to speak to players following their 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Embiid, who has not yet played in this campaign, is said to have taken issue with Hayes' column questioning his professionalism and also referencing his son and late brother, both named Arthur.
The 30-year-old was sitting out a fifth consecutive game as he tries to manage recovery from a left knee injury, which required surgery in January and limited him to 39 appearances last season.
"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 told Hayes, swearing at him and rejecting an apology.
"That's not the f***ing first time," Embiid said. He insisted he did not care what reporters said, to which Hayes responded, "But you do," before Embiid allegedly pushed Hayes on the shoulder and the team's chief public relations officer stepped in to separate the pair.
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"We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers locker room this evening and are commencing an investigation," an NBA spokesman said.
Team officials attempted to move reporters from the locker room to conduct interviews outside, while a security guard asked them to not cover the scene.
"They can do whatever they want," Embiid interjected, "I don't give a s***."
76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey told ESPN: "We take the situation very seriously and are investigating, and have already spoken to the NBA."
Embiid had expressed his frustrations on Friday over coverage of his injury and his attitude. "Everybody has been on the same page," he said, referring to his recovery and schedule.
"If your body doesn't react well, and if your body tells you one thing [then you should sit the game out]. I've done it. From what I can tell you, I've broken my face twice, I came back early with the risk of losing my vision.
"I have broken fingers. I still came back. When I see people say, 'He doesn't want to play,' I've done way too much for this city, putting myself at risk, for people to be saying that."
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