Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid ‘assaults reporter in locker room’

Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid has been accused of pushing a reporter in the aftermath of a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Keith Pompey tweeted: “Oh boy, people will 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.”

In a later tweet from ESPN’s Shams Charania, he reported that Embiid “got into an altercation with a columnist after tonight’s game in Philadelphia.” Embiid took issue with a recent column that referenced his late brother and son, and Embiid pushed the columnist. Not a hit.”

An NBA spokesperson told The Athletic’s Sam Amick, “We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers locker room tonight and are launching an investigation.”

While Charania’s tweet did not specifically mention the columnist, it likely refers to an article written by The Inquirer’s Marcus Hayes that criticized the 7-foot-2 Embiid’s work ethic while referencing his late brother Arthur.

Sixers star Joel Embiid is accused of pushing a reporter into the locker room

“Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son Arthur as the most significant turning point in his basketball career,” Hayes’ October column read. “He often says he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who tragically died in a car accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er.”

The next paragraph reads: ‘To become good at your job, you must first show up for work. Embiid was great at the exact opposite. Now in his eleventh season, he is consistently in poor shape. This poor condition appears to have delayed his debut this season.”

Just Friday, Embiid cited Philadelphia media — specifically calling out Hayes — who were critical of the former MVP and accused him of not wanting to play basketball.

“When I see people saying ‘he doesn’t want to play’, I’ve done way too much for this city and I run the risk of people saying that. I really think this is bulls***,” Embiid said.

“Like that guy, he’s not here, Marcus. I’ve done way too much to let this damn city treat me like this. Done way too much. I wish I was as lucky as the others, but that doesn’t mean I don’t do whatever it takes to be there, and I probably will.”

Embiid hasn’t played meaningful basketball since helping Team USA win gold at the Paris Olympics.

Along with fellow injured star Paul George, Embiid missed the Sixers’ season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks a few weeks ago.

Suspicions about his absence led the NBA to fine the 76ers $100,000 on Tuesday. The charges came after team president Daryl Morey and head coach Nick Nurse made inconsistent public statements about Embiid’s health.

Embiid hasn’t played significant basketball since winning gold with Team USA in Paris

Embiid, when healthy, is one of the best players in the league after winning MVP in 2023

This comes just weeks after Embiid signed a $193 million deal to extend his stay in Philadelphia.

In October, Embiid was criticized after reports surfaced claiming the center was “done” playing back-to-back games.

This altercation comes at a time when the debate over reporters’ access to locker rooms has intensified.

In the NFL, the players’ union has begun the process of trying to eliminate locker room interviews after games, saying they should take place outside locker rooms.

When fully healthy, Embiid is one of the biggest stars in basketball in the world, as was on display at the Paris Olympics last summer.

Embiid has played his entire NBA career in Philadelphia since being selected third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Since then, he has been one of the most dominant centers in the league. He earned seven All-Star appearances, was named to the All-NBA First Team once and to the All-NBA Second Team four times.

Of course, the biggest achievement of his career so far was being named the league’s MVP in 2023 – in a year in which he took home his second straight NBA scoring title.