Joel Embiid shoves columnist after 76ers game, NBA investigates

Joel Embiid, who recently feuded with the media, took it to a physical level on Saturday night.

The 76ers center pushed Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes after Philadelphia’s 124-107 home loss to the Grizzlies, taking issue with his recent column that referenced the player’s late brother and son – according to ESPN’s Shams Charania – but no punches were thrown.

The incident came a day after Embiid directly mentioned Hayes after Hayes wrote his scathing column calling the center “the least reliable superstar in the history of the game” while also referencing his family members.

Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Keith Pompey posted the following to X after the incident: “Oh boy, people are going to remember the Sixers season for the wrong reasons. The team simply fell to 1-4 and Joel Embiid attacked a reporter in the locker room. He then followed it up with another tweet that read, “The reporter was ‘pushed’ by Embiid.”

An NBA spokesperson told The Athletic: “We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers locker room tonight and are launching an investigation.”

Embiid, who has yet to make his debut in 2024-25 with what the team calls the left knee management, also clashed with the media on Friday about speculation questioning his toughness and desire to play.

‘I broke my face twice. I came back early at the risk of losing my vision,” Embiid told reporters on Friday. “When I see people saying he doesn’t want to play, I’ve done way too much for this city and I run the risk of people saying that. I really think it’s bulls-t. … I’ve done way too much to let this damn city be treated like this.”

The 30-year-old Embiid, a former NBA MVP, has dealt with numerous lower-body injuries during his 10-year career and said Friday that his return to the court will rely on the “trust” of his awkward right knee. expect him to play “fairly soon.”

“I think it’s about feeling comfortable and confident,” Embiid said. “I want to be at my best. I don’t want to be in a situation where I’m afraid that if I do this, I might do something. … Mentally, I’m just working on regaining that confidence.”

Saturday’s loss dropped the 76ers to 1-4, including an 0-3 home record.