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The Sixers begin a road trip in Los Angeles
against the Clippers on Wednesday night.
Embiid shouted at and eventually shoved a newspaper columnist in
a locker room altercation Saturday night.
"Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players
and media in the NBA,” league executive Joe Dumars said in a
statement announcing the suspension. “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 took issue with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus
Hayes, who mentioned the seven-time All-Star's late brother and
his son — both named Arthur — in columns questioning Embiid’s
professionalism and effort not being in shape after playing in
the Paris Olympics.
As reporters entered the locker room to talk to players
following a 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, the two-time
NBA scoring champion stood and confronted Hayes.
“The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again,
you are going to see what I’m going to do to you and I’m going
to have to ... live with the consequences,” Embiid said to
Hayes.
Embiid continued, with several instances of profanity in the
next few sentences. Hayes offered an apology, which Embiid did
not want. “That’s not the f——— first time,” Embiid said.
Embiid later said that he doesn’t care what reporters say. “But
you do,” Hayes answered.
Embiid appeared to get louder at that point, and not long
afterward pushed Hayes on the shoulder while the team’s public
relations chief got between them. Another PR person moved Tyrese
Maxey’s interview to the hallway outside the locker room, trying
to clear reporters.
Embiid was the No. 3 pick in the 2014 draft but missed his first
two full seasons with injuries. Since his first full season in
2016, he has played in 433 of a possible 805 regular-season
games and only 59 of 67 possible playoff games.
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