A visibly angry Joel Embiid yelled at and ended up shoving a Philadelphia newspaper reporter in the locker room after the struggling Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.
The NBA quickly said it has opened an investigation into the matter.
Embiid clashed with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who mentioned the All-Star center’s late brother and son — both named Arthur — in columns that questioned Embiid’s intelligence and his efforts to stay out of shape after playing in the Paris Olympics. . Embiid has not played for the 76ers this season.
When reporters entered the locker room to talk to the players, Embiid stood and faced Hayes.
“The next time you resurrect my dead brother and my son again, you’re going to see what I’m going to do to you and I’m going to have to … live with the consequences,” Embiid told Hayes. .
Embiid continued, with several instances of profanity in the next few sentences. Hayes apologized, Embiid refused. “That’s not the first if—.” Embiid said.
Embiid later said he doesn’t care what reporters say. “But it is,” Hayes replied.
Embiid seemed to get a lot stronger at that point, and it wasn’t long before he nudged Hayes on the shoulder when the public relations manager stepped between them. Another PR person moved Tyrese Maxey’s interview into the hallway outside the locker room, trying to clear reporters.
At the same time, the security guard of the team asked the media not to report on what happened. Embiid yelled over the guard.
“They can do whatever they want,” Embiid said. “I don’t give a shit.”
Embiid called out Hayes in a press conference following Friday’s practice at the team’s practice facility, calling him “Marcus, whatever his name is” and questioning critics of his extended absence.
Hayes recently wrote an article saying Embiid has no respect for the 76ers and the game, and that the team should consider bringing back fans if Embiid doesn’t play.
“I’ve done so much for this city … to be treated like this, we’ve been treated this way … so much,” Embiid said Friday. “I wish I was as lucky as others, but that doesn’t mean I don’t try and do whatever it takes to be there, which I will get here soon.”
Hayes was not at the practice on Friday. It’s unclear when Embiid will play, and an NBA investigation will determine whether disciplinary action is warranted.
It is reported by the Associated Press.
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