The NBA on Tuesday suspended Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid three games without pay for ‘shoving a member of the media.’
The incident happened Saturday in the locker room following the Sixers’ 124-107 loss to Memphis.
“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” Joe Dumars, the NBA’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations, said. “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 confronted and made physical contact with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who wrote a column critical of Embiid and referenced Embiid’s brother Arthur, who died in 2014, and Embiid’s son Arthur.
Philadelphia Inquirer Sixers beat writer Gina Mizell wrote that Embiid “struck and shoved” Hayes “during a profanity-laced tirade.”
Hayes told Mizell that Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and general manger Elton Brand “apologized for the incident, expressed regret that it happened, and asked me for my version of events. … They agreed that Embiid’s actions were unacceptable.”
Embiid has not played this season, sidelined with a knee problem, and his suspension will begin with the next game for which he is available, the league said.