The NBA is set to investigate an incident involving Joel Embiid shoving Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the league announced on Saturday night.
“We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers locker room this evening and are commencing an investigation,” said an NBA spokesperson in a statement.
Embiid took issue with a column in which Hayes referenced Embiid’s son and late brother.
“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,” said Embiid to Hayes after players entered the locker room following the Sixers’ loss to the Grizzlies.
Hayes then reportedly offered an apology to Embiid, which Embiid rejected.
Embiid would go on to state that he doesn’t care what reporters think, to which Hayes responded “but you do.”
The comment appeared to set off Embiid, who then raised his voice and pushed Hayes on the shoulder.
Team officials got in between the two, with team security asking reporters not to report on the incident.
“They can do whatever they want. I don’t give a s—,” said Embiid.
Joel Embiid was in a physical altercation with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes following the Philadelphia 76ers’ loss on Saturday. Embiid reportedly shoved the Hayes, but did not throw a punch.
The initial report of the incident came from Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Embiid reportedly took issue with a recent column that referenced his son and also his late brother.
Embiid has yet to appear in a game this season with the Sixers.
