Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been suspended three games by the NBA for showing one of the team’s reporters.
Over the weekend, Embiid had a physical altercation with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes. It occurred in the team’s locker room after a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The former MVP was really frustrated that Hayes made a comment about his late brother in a recent column.
Hayes brought up the death of Embiid’s brother while questioning the center’s availability for the 76ers.
Here’s what Hayes wrote:
Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the major inflection point in his basketball career. He often says that he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who tragically died in an automobile accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er. Well, in order to be great at your job, you first have to show up for work.
Despite how inappropriate that remark may seem, TMZ Sports is reporting that the Philadelphia Inquirer won’t remove Hayes from the 76ers beat.
“No change,” Philadelphia Inquirer senior director of communications Evan Benn said. “He is an Inquirer columnist who covers Philadelphia sports teams, including the Sixers.”
The NBA’s vice president and head of basketball operations, Joe Dumars, has already issued a statement on Embiid’s feud with Hayes.
“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and made in the NBA,” Dumars said. “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 an can never turn physical.”
Hopefully, Embiid and Hayes can move past this incident and develop more respect for each other.
Related: NBA Announces Punishment For Joel Embiid Shoving Reporter