PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid got in an altercation with a local columnist in the locker room following the 76ers’ 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night, shouting at him during an exchange of words before eventually shoving him away.
“We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers locker room this evening and are commencing an investigation,” an NBA spokesman said in a statement.
Embiid took issue with a recent column by Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes. In it, Hayes mentioned Embiid’s late brother and his son — both named Arthur — while questioning Embiid’s professionalism and effort at staying in shape.
As reporters entered the locker room to talk to players, Embiid stood and confronted Hayes.
“The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you are going to see what I’m going to do to you and I’m going to have to … live with the consequences,” Embiid said to Hayes.
Embiid continued, with several instances of profanity in the next few sentences. Hayes offered an apology, which Embiid did not want. “That’s not the f—ing first time.” Embiid said.
Embiid later said that he doesn’t care what reporters say. “But you do,” Hayes answered.
Embiid appeared to get louder at that point, and not long afterward pushed Hayes on the shoulder while the team’s public relations chief got between them. Another PR person moved Tyrese Maxey’s interview to the hallway outside the locker room, trying to clear reporters.
At the same time, a team security person asked the media not to report on what had happened. Embiid yelled over the security guard.
“They can do whatever they want,” Embiid said. “I don’t give a s—.”
76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps that they are aware of the incident.
“We take the situation very seriously and are investigating, and have already spoken to the NBA,” Morey said in a statement.
Embiid didn’t play in Saturday’s game, the fifth consecutive game he’s missed to begin the season due to left knee injury management. Both he and Paul George, who suffered a bone bruise in his left knee when stepping awkwardly in a preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 14, have yet to play this season for the 76ers (1-4).
Speaking to reporters after practice Friday for the first time in a few weeks at the team’s practice facility, Embiid expressed frustration with the concept that he doesn’t want to play.
“Everybody has been on the same page,” Embiid said of his recovery plan. “If your body doesn’t react well, and if your body tells you one thing [sit out]. I’ve done it. From what I can tell you, I’ve broken my face twice, I came back early with the risk of losing my vision. I have broken fingers. I still came back. When I see people say, ‘He doesn’t want to play,’ I’ve done way too much for this city, putting myself at risk, for people to be saying that.”
Embiid had surgery on his left knee after suffering an injury back in January, limiting him to 39 games last season. He then returned in April, playing in Philadelphia’s six-game first round series loss to the New York Knicks, and then helping Team USA win gold at the Paris Olympics this summer.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.