Joel Embiid suspended 3 games for shoving reporter after loss to Memphis, NBA announces

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been suspended for three games without pay for a postgame altercation where he shoved a reporter, the league announced on Tuesday afternoon. The 76ers are scheduled to play the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

Embiid apparently shoved Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes following a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies over the weekend. The incident came after Embiid expressed open disdain for some things written about him, including by Hayes in particular.

“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” said Joe Dumars, NBA VP and head of basketball operations, in a release. “While we understand Joel was offended by the personal nature of the original version of the reporter’s column, interaction must remain professional on both sides and can never turn physical.”

Embiid seemed to take particular offense at Hayes due to a reference made to Embiid’s late brother, Arthur, made in one of Hayes’ columns.

And speaking with media a few days before his altercation with Hayes, Embiid was open in his distaste for what was being written about him.

“Everybody’s been on the same page,” Embiid said Friday, via Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “If the body doesn’t react well, and if your body tells you one thing — I’ve done it. From what I can tell you, I’ve broken my face twice, I came back early with the wrist, losing my vision, I’ve broken fingers, and I still came back. … When I see people saying, ‘He doesn’t wanna play,’ I’ve done way too much for this city and putting myself at risk for people to be saying that.

“I do think it’s bullshit. I’ve done way too much for this f***ing city to be treated like this. Done way too f***ing much. Like I said, I wish I was as lucky as the other ones, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not trying and doing whatever it takes to be out there, which I’m gonna be here pretty soon.”