Everything We Know So Far About Joel Embiid’s Physical Fight With A Reporter
Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid fired a reporter The Philadelphia Inquirer over a recent critical column about his late brother and son.
Shams was the first to report the news, tweeting, “Joel Embiid of the 76ers got into an altercation with a reporter following tonight’s game in Philadelphia. Embiid took issue with a recent column about his late brother and son, and Embiid shoved the writer. No punch.”
“Joel Embiid waded into the fray, shoving a writer in the locker room after tonight’s game.” @ShamsCharania on Joel Embiid and the NBA’s investigation into Saturday’s incident. pic.twitter.com/p2z3nJqrEY
– ESPN (@espn) November 3, 2024
It happened after the 76ers were defeated by the Grizzlies 124-107 on Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center, when it was reported that Embiid attacked a reporter in the locker room of his team, according to Keith Pompey.
Oh boy, people are going to remember the Sixers season for all the wrong reasons. The team just fell to 1-4 and Joel Embiid punched a reporter in the locker room.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) November 3, 2024
The writer was Marcus Hayes, who criticized Embiid’s absence from the games in a recent article, while referring to the 2023 MVP’s late brother Arthur and four-year-old son (also named Arthur).
“Joel Embiid always points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the most important thing in his career. He usually wants to be great to leave a legacy for a guy named after his little brother,” Hayes wrote, while rallying the family about Embiid’s struggles to stay healthy the past few seasons.
Pompey, a colleague of Hayes’ Inquirer, also initially reported that Embiid shot Hayes but this post has since been removed.
Charania also reported that the NBA is aware of what happened and will be looking into it.
Shams tweeted, “NBA spokesperson tells ESPN: “We are aware of the incident that occurred in the Sixers locker room this evening and are beginning an investigation.”
This comes one day after Embiid spoke angrily to Philly media and NBA fans for questioning his desire to play.
“What I can tell you…I broke my face twice, I came back early and I was in danger of losing my vision,” Embiid said. “…When I see people saying, ‘He doesn’t want to play,’ I’ve done so much in this city that I risk people saying that. I think they are bulls—. That’s right dude, he’s not here. …I’ve done too much for this f—— to be treated like this.”
Stay tuned for more on this.
READ MORE: NBA Personality Says Warriors Have Owned This Season
