NBA suspends Embiid for locker room altercation with reporter

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

NBA suspends Joel Embiid for locker room altercation with reporter

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Nov 5, 2024 5:02 PM ET

The NBA has suspended Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid three games following a locker room altercation with a reporter over the weekend.

Embiid reportedly shoved a columnist, Marcus Hayes, from the Philadelphia Inquirer following a brief verbal exchange after the team's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The source of the altercation was a column from Hayes that was critical of Embiid's load management plans for the season, and made reference to his son and deceased brother.

Embiid will miss road games at the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and Friday, as well as a home game against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. He will be eligible to return to the team's lineup on Nov. 12 against the New York Knicks.

Here is the NBA's statement on the suspension.

The following has been released by the NBA: pic.twitter.com/eOQoaZxdUT
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) November 5, 2024

This is one of those situations where two things can be true at the same time.

On one hand, referencing a player's family member — and especially a deceased family member — should always be considered out of bounds for media and people covering the team and players. That has nothing to do with what is happening on the court.

On the other hand, the NBA could not let a physical altercation between a player and member of the media go unpunished. No matter what is written or said things can not reach that level without some sort of consequence.

Embiid has faced criticism around the NBA this season for the reported load management plan that was going to see him sit out in back-to-back game situations. Hayes' column was focusing on that load management and how often Embiid plays on games.

Now Embiid is definitely getting three games off early in the season. It is just not the way anybody planned it.

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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