76ers Suspend Joel Embiid For Physical Encounter With Columnist

The ugly just keeps getting uglier for the Philadelphia 76ers as the organization addressed Saturday night’s locker room fireworks in which Joel Embiid physically attacked a columnist following a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Embiid was suspended for three games without pay by the Sixers, per NBA Communications, after shoving Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes over a controversial article published last month. Hayes highlighted the death of Embiid’s younger brother, Arthur Embiid, who passed away in 2014 from an automobile accident, and Joel’s son, who he named after his late brother, to criticize the seven-time All-Star.

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“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” Joe Dumars, the NBA’s executive vice president of basketball operations, 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.”

The poorly-written criticism centering Embiid spawned from the 30-year-old’s unwillingness to take the court due to injury management. However, Embiid, who’s never surpassed 68 appearances across 10 seasons and is presumably cautious about suffering another injury, did partake in USA Basketball’s Olympic run this past summer. Embiid averaged 11.2 points in 16.8 minutes and is yet to suit up for the Sixers after the franchise spent $203 million to retain Tyrese Maxey and $212 million to sign Paul George.

Embiid was the first to get paid, signing a three-year, $193 million extension last September.

Last week, the NBA fined the Sixers $100,000 following an investigation that deemed the organization’s language regarding Embiid’s health was dishonest. Embiid underwent surgery to repair a displaced flap in the lateral meniscus of his left knee in February, which put a close to his latest All-Star campaign following 39 appearances.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia has suffered the brunt of Embiid’s absence. The Sixers, relying heavily on Maxey, 24, are off to a 1-5 start to the season, placing the team second-to-dead last in the Eastern Conference — ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks (1-6).

Philadelphia’s suspension will cost Embiid $1,063,778 in pay.