The NBA suspended Joel Embiid for three games without pay after the star of the Philadelphia 76ers ha pushed the journalist The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Marcus Hayes during a postgame altercation Saturday night. The league announced it, explaining how “Mutual respect is fundamental in the relationship between players and the media“. Embiid, by many reports, was annoyed by a recent article that Hayes had written about the forward’s injury, in which the reporter digressed and also mentioned Embiid’s son and late brother.
The following has been released by the NBA: pic.twitter.com/eOQoaZxdUT
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) November 5, 2024
What happened
Here’s PHLY reporter Kyle Neubeck’s account of what happened behind the scenes.
“The moment Joel noticed his presence, a verbal back-and-forth broke out. Obviously we cannot repeat many of the words that have been said. The gist of the speech was: “You can say I suck, you can say whatever you want about me as a player. Don’t ever put my dead brother’s name in your mouth. Don’t talk about my family. Don’t involve them in this story. If you want to talk to me like a man and talk about basketball, that’s another thing, but if you talk about my family again, we’re going to have some serious problems.” The two went back and forth and at a certain point Joel pushed him. The team security intervened and everyone dispersed.”
What Hayes had written
“Joel Embiid always points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the turning point in his basketball career. He often says he wants to grow up to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who tragically died in a car accident when Embiid was in his first year as a member of the 76ers. But FrTo be great at your job, you must first show up for work. Embiid was great at the exact opposite. Now in its 11th season, it has always been in bad shape. This poor form appears to have delayed his debut this season.”
So began Hayes’ editorial on the Embiid situation. The player he did not accept the journalist’s apology and attacked Hayes when speaking to reporters Friday:
“If your body doesn’t react well and if your body tells you one thing – I did. From what I can tell you, I broke my face twice, came back early at risk of losing my sight, had broken fingers and came back anyway. So I’m not going to sit here and say – I see people saying, “He doesn’t want to play.” I’ve done too much for this city, putting myself at risk, for people to say that. I think that’s bullshit. Like that guy, who’s not here, Marcus, or whatever his name is, I’ve done too much for this fucking city to be treated like this. I’ve done too much. I wish I was as lucky as everyone else, but that doesn’t mean I’m not trying and doing everything it takes to be out there, which I will do very soon.”
When Embiid returns
Embiid has not played yet this season for the 76ers. There had been hope that the 30-year-old could make his season debut on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, but the suspension will not begin until he is unable to play. According to Shams Charania of ESPNEmbiid’s suspension will begin Wednesday. That means Embiid should debut Nov. 12 against the New York Knicksthe 76ers’ opening game in the NBA Cup.
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