A visibly angry Joel Embiid yelled and eventually pushed a columnist from a Philadelphia newspaper in a locker room altercation after the struggling 76ers lost to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.
The NBA quickly said it has opened an investigation into the matter.
Embiid took issue with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who mentioned the All-Star center’s late brother and his son — both named Arthur — in columns questioning Embiid’s professionalism and out-of-shape efforts after the play at the Olympic Games in Paris. Embiid has yet to play for the 76ers this season.
When reporters entered the locker room to talk to players, Embiid stood up and confronted Hayes.
“The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you’ll see what I’m going to do to you and I’ll have to live with the consequences,” Embiid told Hayes. .
Embiid continued, with several instances of profanity in the next few sentences. Hayes apologized, which Embiid did not want. “That’s not the first damn time.” Embiid said.
Embiid later said he doesn’t care what reporters say. “But you do,” Hayes replied.
Embiid seemed to get louder at that point and not long after pushed Hayes on the shoulder as the team’s PR chief got between them. Another PR person moved Tyrese Maxey’s interview to the hallway outside the locker room, in an attempt to clear reporters.
At the same time, a team security officer asked the media not to report on what happened. Embiid yelled at the security guard.
“They can do whatever they want,” Embiid said. “I don’t care.”
Embiid had called out Hayes during a post-practice news conference Friday at the team’s training facility, calling him “Marcus, whatever his name is” and questioning critics of his extended absence.
Hayes recently wrote a story saying that Embiid disrespects the 76ers and the game, and that the team should consider giving fans refunds if Embiid doesn’t play.
“I’ve done way too much for this…city to be treated like this, done way too…much,” Embiid said Friday. “I wish I was as lucky as others, but that doesn’t mean I’m not trying and doing what it takes to be there, and soon I will be.”
Hayes was not present at training on Friday. It remains unclear when Embiid will play, and the NBA investigation will determine whether disciplinary action is warranted.