NBA investigating altercation between Joel Embiid, reporter

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

NBA investigating physical altercation between 76ers' Joel Embiid and columnist

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Nov 2, 2024 11:08 PM ET

The NBA is investigating an altercation that took place on Saturday night involving Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid and a columnist covering the team.

The reported incident took place in the 76ers locker room following their 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and stemmed from a column written by the Philadelphia Inquirer's Marcus Hayes this week that referred to Embiid's son, as well as Embiid's deceased brother.

Embiid fired back at Hayes during a news conference earlier this week and then had a chance to confront him on Saturday night.

While no video of the altercation has surfaced, several reports are coming out of the 76ers locker room from those who witnessed it.

Philadelphia writer Kyle Neubeck described the incident in detail, saying that it started as a verbal confrontation that went on for about 90 seconds to two minutes and eventually resulted in Embiid shoving Hayes.

“You can say I suck, you can say whatever you want about me as a player. Don’t ever put my dead brother’s name in your mouth,” @KyleNeubeck describes Joel Embiid altercation with journalist https://t.co/CIorWx3NV7 pic.twitter.com/dIsDDaULZz
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 3, 2024

This is the section of the column that drew Embiid's ire.

Here’s what Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes wrote, before his altercation with Joel Embiid tonight: pic.twitter.com/7nVvs4RfnP
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 3, 2024

Embiid has faced intense criticism from NBA writers, analysts and former players this season due to the 76ers' reported plan to have him sit out back-to-back games. That plan resulted in the NBA getting involved to investigate it.

There are a few lessons that can be taken away from all of this.

Embiid is probably about to learn one from the NBA in the form of either a significant fine or suspension for getting into an altercation and shoving a columnist. The league is not going to look favorably on that regardless of the reason or the context behind it. It is just something you can not do and will have to be punished.

The other lesson is that no matter how much you want to criticize a player for their performance or work ethic, it is always out of bounds to bring their family into it — and especially a deceased family member — and mention them at all. That goes beyond reporting and analyzing the game. That becomes personal.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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