PHILADELPHIA – Joel Embiid got into an altercation with a local columnist in the locker room after the 76ers’ 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night, yelling at him during an altercation before ultimately pushing him away.
“We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers locker room tonight and are launching an investigation,” an NBA spokesperson said in a statement.
Embiid addressed a recent column by Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes. In it, Hayes mentioned Embiid’s late brother and his son – both named Arthur – while questioning Embiid’s professionalism and efforts to stay in shape.
When reporters entered the locker room to talk to players, 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’ll have to live with the consequences,” Embiid told Hayes. .
Embiid continued, with several instances of profanity in the next few sentences. Hayes apologized, which Embiid did not want. “That’s not the first time.” Embid said.
Embiid later said he doesn’t care what reporters say. “But you do,” Hayes replied.
Embiid seemed to get louder at that point and not long after pushed Hayes on the shoulder as the team’s PR chief got between them. Another PR person moved Tyrese Maxey’s interview to the hallway outside the locker room, in an attempt to clear reporters.
At the same time, a team security officer asked the media not to report on what happened. Embiid yelled at the security guard.
“They can do whatever they want,” Embiid said. “I don’t give a shit.”
Daryl Morey, president of basketball operations for the 76ers, told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps that they are aware of the incident.
“We are taking the situation very seriously and are investigating, and have already spoken to the NBA,” Morey said in a statement.
Embiid did not play in Saturday’s game, the fifth straight game he has missed to start the season due to a left knee injury. Both he and Paul George, who suffered a left knee bruise when he stepped awkwardly in a preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 14, have yet to play for the 76ers (1-4) this season.
Embiid spoke to reporters at the team’s practice facility after practice on Friday for the first time in a few weeks and expressed his frustration with the draft that he doesn’t want to play.
“Everyone was on the same page,” Embiid said of his recovery plan. “If your body doesn’t respond right, and if your body tells you one thing (sit down). I did it. As far as I can tell you, I broke my face twice, I came back early with the I walk it risk losing my sight. I have broken fingers. When I see people saying, ‘He doesn’t want to play,’ I’ve done way too much for this city, putting myself in danger, for people to say that. “
Embiid had surgery on his left knee in January after suffering an injury that limited him to 39 games last season. He then returned in April, played in Philadelphia’s six-game first-round loss to the New York Knicks, then helped Team USA win gold at the Paris Olympics this summer.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
