Joel Embiid pushes columnist after 76ers game, NBA investigates

Joel Embiid, who has been feuding with the media lately, took it to a physical level on Saturday night.

The 76ers center shoved Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes after Philadelphia's 124-107 home loss to the Grizzlies, taking issue with his recent column in which he referred to the player's late brother and son – both named Arthur. but no blows were struck.

The incident came a day after Embiid directly mentioned Hayes after writing his scathing column in which he called the center “the least reliable superstar in the history of the game” while also referring to his family members.

The column also questioned Embiid's professionalism and effort because he was out of shape after competing in the Paris Olympics, where Team USA won gold.

When reporters entered the locker room to talk to players after the 76ers' loss, 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'm going to have to… live with the consequences,” Embiid told Hayes.

Embiid — who won the MVP award in the 2022-23 season — continued with several profanities in the next few sentences. Hayes apologized, but Embiid didn't want to. “This isn’t the first time,” Embiid said.

The seven-time All-Star later said he didn't care what reporters said. “But you do,” Hayes replied.

Embiid, 30, seemed to get louder at that point and soon squeezed Hayes on the shoulder as the team's public relations chief stepped between them.

Another PR person moved Tyrese Maxey's interview to the hallway outside the locker room to deny reporters access.

While this was happening, a team security guard asked the media not to cover the incident, but an irate Embiid yelled at the security guard, saying, “You can do whatever you want. I don't care.”

“We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers locker room this evening and are conducting an investigation,” a league spokesperson told The Athletic.

Embiid had confronted Hayes in a post-practice press conference at the team's training facility on Friday, referring to him as “Marcus, whatever his name is” and questioning critics about his extended absence.

Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Keith Pompey posted the following on X after the incident: “Oh man, people are going to remember the Sixers season for the wrong reasons. The team just fell to 1-4 and Joel Embiid attacked a reporter in the locker room.” Then another tweet followed that said, “The reporter was 'pushed' by Embiid.”

Embiid, who has yet to make his debut in the 2024-25 season with what the team calls left knee management, also ran afoul of the media on Friday amid speculation questioning his strength and willingness to play.

“I broke my face twice. I came back early with the risk of losing my vision,” Embiid told reporters on Friday. “If I see people saying, ‘He doesn’t want to play,’ then I’ve done way too much for this city and put myself at risk of people saying that. I do think it's bullshit. … I’ve done far too much for this damn city to be treated like this.”

Embiid has battled numerous lower-body injuries over his 10-year career and said Friday that his return to the court depends on “trusting” his sore right knee, but he expects to play “pretty soon.”

“I think it’s about being comfortable and confident,” Embiid said. “I want to do my best. I don't want to be in a situation where I'm afraid that I might do something if I do that. …Mentally, I’m just trying to get that trust back.”

Saturday's loss dropped the 76ers to 1-4, including 0-3 at home.

– with AP