Embiid verbally confronts Philadelphia reporter, then pushes him – NBC10 Philadelphia

A visibly angry Joel Embiid yelled at a Philadelphia newspaper columnist and eventually shoved him in a locker room altercation after the 76ers lost to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.⁠
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The NBA quickly said it had opened an investigation into the matter.⁠
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Embiid disagreed 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 effort after attending was out of shape at the Olympic Games in Paris. Embiid has not yet played for the 76ers this season.⁠
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When reporters entered the locker room to talk to the players, Embiid stood up and confronted Hayes.⁠
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“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'm going to have to… live with the consequences,” Embiid told Hayes.⁠
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Embiid continued, with several instances of profanity appearing in the next few sentences. Hayes apologized, but Embiid didn't want to. “This isn't the first time,” Embiid said.⁠
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Embiid later said he doesn't care what reporters say. “But you do,” Hayes replied.⁠
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Embiid seemed to get louder at that point and soon squeezed Hayes on the shoulder while the team's public relations director stepped between them. Another PR person moved Tyrese Maxey's interview to the hallway outside the locker room to deny reporters access.⁠
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At the same time, a team security official asked the media not to report the incident. Embiid yelled at the security guard.⁠
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“They can do whatever they want,” Embiid said. “I’m not giving in –.”⁠

The Athlete's Shams Charania reported that the NBA is investigating the incident.

Hayes previously apologized on X for his October 23 column. The Inquirer removed references to Embiid's late brother and son, both named Arthur.

In 2014, Embiid's brother was hit by a truck in Cameroon and died at the age of 13.

Embiid launched the “In Memory of Arthur Initiative” in 2022, pledging to donate $1 million to Philadelphia-area nonprofits. This summer he hosted a block party for about 200 children from these organizations.

“I still have a hard time thinking about the whole thing,” Embiid said on September 27. “He’s one of the reasons I do this. He is someone who cares about everyone. It's funny, all the stories I heard – because I hadn't been there since I left Cameroon – and looking back after his death, all the stories I heard… just someone who cared about everyone who cared and always gave something back.”

Embiid addressed Hayes during a press conference on Friday about his left knee and returning to play. Hayes was not present Friday.

“When I see people saying he doesn’t want to play … I’ve been through way too much,” Embiid said. “I've done way too much for this city and I'm putting myself at risk of people saying that, so I call it bulls—. Like this guy… he's not here – Marcus, whatever his name is. I've done far too much for this damn city to be treated like this. I've done way too much.

“Like I said, I wish I was as lucky as other (players), but that doesn't mean I'm not trying and doing whatever it takes to be out there, which is what I'm going to be here pretty soon.”

The 1-4 Sixers will begin a three-game road trip against the Suns on Monday night. Embiid said Friday that “everything is going in the right direction” regarding his health, but did not give a specific date for his return.