Joel Embiid reportedly gets into a physical altercation with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, Marcus Hayes.
The incident took place after the 76ers and Memphis Grizzlies game when Embiid approached Hayes about his recent column. Hayes talked about the player’s professionalism and mentioned his younger brother, who passed away in 2014.
The Power Forward/Center for the 76ers has been heavily criticized by fans and reporters due to not stepping foot on the court because of a left knee injury. The 76ers also announced that he would not be playing back-to-back games this year, which fueled the criticism even more.
However, the NBA player has been vocal about the criticism he has been receiving but was not happy about his family being thrown into the mix. Before the incident, reporters entered the team’s locker room when Embiid began to exchange words with 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,” he said to Hayes. The situation became more tense when Embiid shoved Hayes. The two men were separated by the 76ers public relations chief.
Since the incident, the 76ers president of basketball operations has said that the NBA is investigating the incident. “We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers locker room this evening and are commencing an investigation,” a spokesman for the NBA said in a statement.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Marcus Hayes have not released any comments about the altercation.