NBA star Joel Embiid banned for shoving newspaper columnist
Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid has been suspended by the NBA for three games without pay for shoving a member of the media.
Embiid’s suspension will begin with the next NBA regular-season game for which he is eligible and able to play.
The 2023 NBA MVP has yet to play this season because of what the 76ers call left knee management. The Sixers begin a road trip in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Wednesday night, Thursday AEDT.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Embiid shouted at and eventually shoved a Philadelphia newspaper columnist in a locker-room altercation on Saturday night.
“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” NBA executive Joe Dumars said in a statement announcing the suspension.
“While we understand Joel was offended by the personal nature of the original version of the reporter’s column, interactions must remain professional on both sides and can never turn physical.”
Embiid took issue with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who mentioned the All-Star centre’s late brother and his son - both named Arthur - in columns questioning Embiid’s professionalism and effort for not being in shape after playing in the Paris Olympics.
As reporters entered the locker room to talk to players, Embiid stood and confronted Hayes.
“The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you are going to see what I’m going to do to you and I’m going to have to ... live with the consequences,” Embiid said to Hayes.
Embiid continued, with several instances of profanity in the next few sentences. Hayes offered an apology, which Embiid did not want.
“That’s not the f...ing first time.” Embiid said.
Earlier this season the NBA fined the 76ers $US100,000 ($150,800) for “inconsistent” comments about the health status of Embiid, who won a gold medal with Team USA at this year’s Paris Olympics.
The NBA also said an investigation confirmed that Embiid, who was born in Cameroon and became a US citizen in 2022, has been unable to play this season due to a knee condition and did not violate the league’s player participation policy.
Embiid was the No.3 pick in the 2014 draft, but missed his first two full seasons with injuries.
Since his first full season in 2016, he has played in 433 of a possible 805 regular-season games and only 59 of 67 possible playoff games.
