Joel Embiid suspended 3 games for pushing a columnist in a locker room originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The NBA on Tuesday afternoon announced that Joel Embiid has been suspended three games without pay for “pushing a member of the media.”
Embiid faced Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes in the home locker room of the Sixers following the team’s Saturday night loss to the Grizzlies about a highly critical Oct. 23 column that initially referenced Embiid’s late brother and young son, both named Arthur. Embiid’s brother died in 2014 at age 13 when he was hit by a truck in Cameroon.
Hayes apologized on X for the column and the Inquirer removed the references to Embiid’s family members.
After a brief back and forth, Embiid pushed Hayes and then was separated.
“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and the media in the NBA,” said Joe Dumars, the league’s executive vice president, head of basketball operations. “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.”
Embiid has yet to play this season for the 1-5 Sixers. He was listed as out with a “Management of left knee injury” name on the injury report. Although the seven-time All-Star has participated fully in recent practices and said Friday that he “should be back pretty soon,” Embiid has not set a date for his return.
The NBA’s press release notes that his suspension “will begin with the next NBA regular season game for which he is eligible and able to play.”
Paul George made his debut for the Sixers on Monday night in a 118-116 loss to the Suns. Embiid is with the team on its three-game West Coast trip, which will end in Los Angeles with games against the Clippers on Wednesday and the Lakers on Friday.
