Joel Embiid suspended 3 games for pushing journalist

Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid will be suspended for three games without pay for shoving Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes after Saturday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, the NBA announced Tuesday.

“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” Joe Dumars, the NBA’s executive vice president of basketball operations, said in a statement announcing the suspension. “While we understand that Joel was offended by the personal nature of the journalist’s original version of the column, interactions must remain professional on both sides and can never become physical.”

The suspension will cover the 76ers’ next three games: Wednesday against the LA Clippers, Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers and Sunday against the Charlotte Hornets, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania. Embiid will return and make his season debut next Tuesday in Philadelphia against the New York Knicks in the 76ers’ NBA Cup opener.

The suspension comes in the wake of an incident Saturday night in which Embiid shoved Hayes after taking issue with his recent column that mentioned Embiid’s son and late brother, both named Arthur, while questioning professionalism and Embiid’s effort to stay in shape.

“Next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you’re going to see what I’m going to do to you and I’m going to have to…live with the consequences,” Embiid told Hayes. during the confrontation.

Hayes apologized for the comments, which were eventually removed from the column, but Embiid rejected them.

Embiid later said he doesn’t care what reporters say. “But you do,” Hayes responded. Embiid shoved Hayes afterward as the team’s public relations chief stood between them.

Embiid has yet to play this season due to ongoing issues with his left knee, which he had surgery on last season and limited his play during a first-round loss to the Knicks in the postseason. He’s on the West Coast trip to Philadelphia, which the 76ers opened Monday with a 118-116 loss to the Phoenix Suns in Paul George’s debut with the franchise.

Embiid will lose $1,063,778 in salary during the suspension, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.