Philadelphia 76ers star nba/players/2135528/joel-embiid/”>Joel Embiid has been suspended three games by the NBA for Shoving Philadelphia Inquirer Columnist Marcus Hayesthe league announced Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred in the Philadelphia locker room after Saturday’s game between the 76ers and Memphis Grizzliesa 124-107 Grizzlies victory in which Embiid did not participate. The altercation arose from a column published in October by the Inquirer.
That column, written by Hayes, criticized Embiid for missing games, but mentioned both Embiid’s brother, Arthur, who died in a car accident in 2014, and Embiid’s young son, who shares the name Arthur. The story has since been edited to remove mentions of any of the relatives.
“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between NBA players and media,” league executive vice president Joe Dumars said in a statement. NBA statement. “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.”
Embiid has not played yet this season due to what the team has called “left knee management.” The NBA said Embiid’s suspension “will begin with the next NBA regular season game for which he is eligible and able to play.” It’s unclear exactly when that will be, but a report earlier on tuesday indicated that Embiid was potentially preparing for his season debut Wednesday against the Clippers in Los Angeles.
If the NBA deems Embiid “capable of playing” on Wednesday and the suspension begins, Embiid could return to the court on Nov. 12 against the New York Knicks in an NBA Cup game, the 10th game of the season. of the 76ers.
After practice last Friday, Embiid mentioned Hayes’ column while addressing reporters.
“Everyone has been on the same page,” Embiid saying of the team’s plan for him to recover from a current knee injury and monitor his health throughout the season. “If your body doesn’t react well and if your body tells you one thing [sit out]. I have done it. From what I can tell you, I’ve broken my face twice; I returned 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 too much for this city, putting myself at risk, for people to say that.”
The situation escalated after Saturday’s game, when Embiid saw Hayes in the locker room. “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. , according the associated press. Hayes reportedly offered an apology that Embiid did not accept. Embiid later said he doesn’t care what reporters say, to which Hayes reportedly responded “but you do.” Shortly after, Embiid shoved Hayes in the shoulder, according to reporters in the room. The two were separated by the team’s public relations staff there.
This is the second suspension of Embiid’s career. In 2019, he and Karl-Anthony Towns Both were suspended two games after a fight between the two when Towns was a member of the minnesota wolves.
The 76ers are 1-5 in their first five games and the addition of the free agent paul george He just made his season debut in a Monday night loss to the Suns after injuring his knee in the preseason.
