Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been suspended three video games by the NBA for shoving Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, the league introduced Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred in Philadelphia’s locker room after Saturday’s recreation between the 76ers and Memphis Grizzlies, a 124-107 Grizzlies victory that Embiid didn’t take part in. The altercation stemmed from a column printed in October by the Inquirer.
That column, written by Hayes, criticized Embiid for lacking video games, however talked about each Embiid’s brother Arthur, who died in a 2014 automotive accident, and Embiid’s younger son, who shares Arthur’s title. The story has since been edited to take away mentions of both relative.
“Mutual respect is paramount to the connection between gamers and media within the NBA,” league Government Vice President Joe Dumars stated in an NBA assertion. “Whereas we perceive Joel was offended by the private nature of the unique model of the reporter’s column, interactions should stay skilled on each side and might by no means flip bodily.”
Embiid has not performed but this season as a result of what the workforce has known as “left knee administration.” The NBA famous that Embiid’s suspension “will begin with the following NBA common season recreation for which he’s eligible and capable of play.” It is unclear precisely when that shall be, however a report earlier on Tuesday indicated that Embiid was doubtlessly gearing up for his season debut on Wednesday towards the Clippers in L.A.
If the NBA deems Embiid “capable of play” on Wednesday and begins the suspension, Embiid might then return to the ground on Nov. 12 towards the New York Knicks in an NBA Cup recreation — the 76ers’ tenth recreation of the season.
After final Friday’s observe, Embiid introduced up Hayes’ column as he addressed reporters.
“All people has been on the identical web page,” Embiid stated of the workforce’s plan for him to each recuperate from a present knee damage and handle his well being all through the season. “In case your physique does not react properly, and in case your physique tells you one factor [sit out]. I’ve finished it. From what I can inform you, I’ve damaged my face twice; I got here again early with the chance of dropping my imaginative and prescient. I’ve damaged fingers. I nonetheless got here again. After I see folks say, ‘He does not need to play,’ I’ve finished method an excessive amount of for this metropolis, placing myself in danger, for folks to be saying that.”
The scenario escalated after Saturday’s recreation, when Embiid noticed Hayes within the locker room. “The subsequent time you convey up my useless brother and my son once more, you will see what I will do to you and I will must … stay with the implications,” Embiid stated to Hayes, in keeping with the Related Press. Hayes reportedly provided an apology that Embiid didn’t settle for. Embiid later stated that he does not care what reporters say, to which Hayes reportedly responded “however you do.” Quickly after, Embiid pushed Hayes on the shoulder, in keeping with reporters within the room. The 2 have been separated by workforce PR staffers from there.
That is the second suspension of Embiid’s profession. In 2019, he and Karl-Anthony Cities have been each suspended two video games after a struggle between the 2 when Cities was a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 76ers are 1-5 by means of their first 5 video games, and free-agent addition Paul George simply made his season debut in a Monday night time loss to the Suns after hurting his knee within the preseason.
