Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been suspended for three games without pay after shoving Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Marcus Hayes, the NBA announced.
Although he’s been handed a suspension, Embiid has yet to play a game this season because of a knee injury. Previously, the NBA fined the 76ers $100,000 for making public statements, “that were inconsistent with Joel Embiid’s health status.”
Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations shared the rationale behind the suspension.
“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” Dumars said. “While we understand Joel was offended by the personal nature of the original version of the reporter’s column. But interactions must remain professional on both sides and can never turn physical.”
The altercation took place following the Sixer’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday (Nov. 2).
Embiid approached Hayes about his recent column. Hayes talked about the player’s professionalism and mentioned his son and his younger brother, who passed away in 2014.
“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.
After yelling at Hayes, Embiid then shoved the columnist.
The two men were separated by the 76ers public relations chief.
Follwoing the incident, Daryl Morey, Sixers president of basketball operations noted that the NBA is investigating the incident.
“We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers locker room this evening and are commencing an investigation,” the NBA said in a statement.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Embiid will lose $1,063,778 in pay during the suspension.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Embiid and the Sixers as the team has been struggling with a 1-5 record to start the season.
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