Joel Embiid’s late start to the NBA season will now be pushed back for at least three more games, putting the 76ers in an even deeper hole.
The NBA suspended Embiid for three games without pay after his confrontation with — and shoving by — Marcus Hayes, a columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Embiid’s suspension will begin with the first game he is physically cleared to play, he has yet to play this season as he recovers from knee surgery last February (although he rushed back to play in the playoffs – through Bell’s Palsy – and in the Paris.Olympics).
Embiid confronted Hayes in the locker room but crossed the line with the league when the incident turned physical.
“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and the media in the NBA,” said Joe Dumars, NBA Executive Vice President and disciplinarian. “While we understand that 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 become physical.”
No one is right in this situation.
Embiid has yet to play in the preseason or this season, with the official reason being “left knee management.” That, combined with statements from coach Nick Nurse and GM Daryl Morey about making sure Embiid would be ready for the playoffs, suggested he might be more for load management than an actual injury. The NBA investigated and then fined the 76ers $100,000 for “inconsistent” statements on how Joel Embiid’s knee injury was managed. However, the league also “confirmed that Embiid was unable to play in the 76ers’ regular season games this season due to a left knee condition.”
With the 76ers off to a slow 1-5 start this season with both Embiid and Paul George out (George returned to the court for the first time Monday night), in steps Hayes. He wrote a column criticizing Embiid for being out that season. However, he crossed a line dragging Embiid’s son Arthur and late brother of the same name into this story, writing in the original version that Embiid “often says he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother,” and that involves showing up for work. That version of the column was taken down and Hayes apologized for it, including Embiid.
Of course, Embiid was unhappy and won’t accept Hayes’ apology. Players taking offense to something written about them and talking to a reporter about it are relatively common around the league, and rarely but occasionally those discussions turn heated and contentious.
However, Embiid physically crossed a line — the league doesn’t want its players laying hands on fans or members of the media. A suspension for Embiid was always likely, the only question was for how long. The NBA fell on the harsh side, saying three games.
The clock on those three games starts when Embiid is healthy enough to play. There were rumors that it could be Wednesday night in Los Angeles against the Clippers, but now if Embiid is healthy enough, it’s only Game 1 of the suspension (the 76ers then play the Lakers on Friday, then come home to host the Hornets). on Sunday). If the 76ers say Embiid couldn’t play Wednesday, the clock on the suspension won’t start until he’s healthy.
Then, the 76ers could be in a very deep hole that will be difficult to climb out of, no matter how well Embiid and George pair with Tyrese Maxey.
