Things got bad and worse for Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid.
Embiid was handed a three-game suspension without pay by the NBA following an alleged shoving incident involving a journalist, in the aftermath of the 76ers loss against the Memphis Grizzlies last weekend.
The following has been released by the NBA: pic.twitter.com/eOQoaZxdUT
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) November 5, 2024
The league’s Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars noted that while the NBA understood Embiid has his own feelings about the incident, maintaining a professional relationship between a player and members of the media must be upheld to the highest level.
"Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” Dumars added. "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."
Per NBA senior insider Shams Carania, the suspension will take effect in the Sixers’ visit to the Lakers on November 9, the Clippers on November 11, and also their home contest against the Charlotte Hornets on November 11.
If he is healthy enough by then, the former MVP is set for a season debut on November 13 against the New York Knicks in a rematch of their epic Eastern Conference first round-up duel.
Joel Embiid’s three-game suspension will span Wednesday vs. Clippers, Friday vs. Lakers and Sunday vs. Hornets – meaning the former league MVP is set to make his season debut in NBA Cup opener against the Knicks on Nov. 12 in Philadelphia, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/6uUp2r2qJf
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 6, 2024
Embiid made headlines, getting into an alleged physical altercation with Marcus Hayes, a Philadelphia Inquirer journalist who mentioned the big man’s son and deceased brother– who both named Arthur— in his column.
Hayes was questioning the big man's efforts, as the team announced the former MVP would not play in both matches of back-to-back games. In his column, Hayes wrote:
"Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the major inflection point in his basketball career. He often says that he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who tragically died in an automobile accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er.
Well, in order to be great at your job, you first have to show up for work. Embiid has been great at just the opposite. Now in his 11th season, he consistently has been in poor condition. This poor conditioning apparently seems to have delayed his debut this season. Embiid won’t play in Wednesday’s opener or the next two games."
It did not sit well for the 76ers big man.
76ers’ Joel Embiid got in an altercation with a columnist following tonight’s game in Philadelphia. Embiid took issue with a recent column that referenced his late brother and son, and Embiid shoved the columnist. No punch.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 3, 2024
Per reports, when Embiid saw Hayes in the Sixers locker room, he uttered the words: “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."
Joel Embiid to reporter Marcus Hayes tonight:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 3, 2024
“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.”
(via @JClarkNBCS) pic.twitter.com/oSKkvfByYM
Hayes reportedly offered an apology afterwards but Embiid did not accept.
A seven-time All-Star, the 30-year-old is still yet to make his season debut following the Sixers’ decision to sit him out due to “left knee management.”
Philadelphia is currently 1-5 to start the season, the second worst record in the East just behind the Milwaukee Bucks (1-6).
[ALSO READ: Suns stay hot as Kevin Durant’s late-game heroics spoil Paul George's Sixers debut]
Embiid, who has had a history of knee injuries, underwent surgery on the meniscus in his left knee in February and led the Sixers to the playoffs after beating the Miami Heat in the Play-In tournament. They lost in six games against East rival Knicks.
He then chose to play for Team USA instead of his native country Cameroon and France in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and won the gold.
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft, Embiid played in 433 of a possible 805 regular-season games and only 59 of 67 possible playoff games since his first full season in 2016.
