\
THE NBA has decided on the punishment that Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid will receive.
The 2023 NBA MVP, 30, has been given a suspension for shoving a media reporter after the 76ers’ loss to the Memphis Grizzlies last weekend.
3
3
Embiid has yet to play this season due to a left knee condition and his debut will be delayed because of a suspension.
The NBA announced Tuesday that it suspended Embiid for three games for shoving Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes following a loss to the Grizzlies on Saturday night.
The suspension will start on Wednesday when the 76ers take on the Los Angeles Clippers.
He will miss Wednesday’s game, Friday’s contest versus the Los Angeles Lakers, and Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Embiid is set to make his season debut against the New York Knicks in Philadelphia’s NBA Cup opener on November 12.
The suspension comes after the incident last weekend in which Embiid shoved Hayes after disapproving of his recent article mentioning Embiid’s son and late brother, Arthur, while criticizing the NBA star’s conditioning.
Embiid’s brother died in a car accident 10 years ago.
ESPN reported the altercation and explained Embiid confronted Hayes, telling him, “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 rejected Hayes’ apology, said he didn’t care about reporters’ opinions, and later pushed Hayes when the columnist responded, saying, “but you do.”
The interaction sequence came just one day after Embiid revealed his frustrations with the narrative that he has purposely decided to not play as he deals with knee issues.
Embiid hasn’t played this season due to problems with his left knee, which he had surgery on last season.
The same injury took a toll on him during Philly’s first-round loss to the New York Knicks in the 2023-24 playoffs.
Embiid did play in the 2024 Paris Olympics and helped the US win a gold medal.
Fast forward to November and the 76ers have a 1-5 record.
3
The team saw defeat on Monday against the Phoenix Suns during star Paul George’s debut with the squad.
Embiid will reportedly lose $1,063,778 in pay during the suspension.
“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in the suspension announcement.
“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.”
Embiid averaged 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.6 per game last season.
