NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has handed Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid a three-game suspension without pay for incident involving a media member, specifically for pushing a journalist.
Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP, has yet to take the court this season due to what the 76ers are referring to as left knee management. His suspension will commence with the next regular-season game in which he is eligible to participate.
The 76ers will embark on a road trip starting Wednesday night in Los Angeles, facing off against the Clippers.
The incident that led to Embiid’s suspension occurred during a tense exchange with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes. Following a 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Embiid confronted Hayes about comments made in a recent article that mentioned the player’s deceased brother and his son, both named Arthur. Hayes’s remarks raised concerns regarding Embiid’s commitment and fitness after his participation in the Paris Olympics.
During the confrontation, Embiid warned 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.” The situation escalated as Embiid used several expletives, indicating his frustration. Despite Hayes’s attempt to apologize, Embiid dismissed it, saying, “That’s not the f——— first time.” This shows Embiid’s strong emotions regarding the matter.
League executive Joe Dumars addressed the situation in a statement, emphasizing the importance of maintaining mutual respect between players and the media in the NBA. “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,” Dumars remarked.
Embiid, who was the No. 3 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, has faced many challenges throughout his career, including injuries that kept him out for his first two full seasons. Since then, he has played in 433 out of 805 regular-season games and appeared in only 59 of 67 possible playoff games, showcasing his resilience but also the obstacles he has faced in maintaining consistent participation.
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