Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers has yet to take the court this season due to a left knee condition, and his debut for the 2024-25 season will be further delayed following the announcement of a three-game suspension. The NBA confirmed the suspension on Tuesday, which is due to Embiid's actions involving a member of the media after the 76ers' loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. The suspension will take effect during the next eligible game for Embiid.
The incident stemmed from Embiid's reaction to a column written by Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Hayes referenced Embiid's son and his late brother, both named Arthur, which reportedly upset the All-Star center. The original column suggested that Embiid needed to be more present and engaged as he navigated his injury concerns, describing significant moments in his career related to his family. Following the loss, Embiid confronted Hayes, expressing his disdain for the commentary connecting personal matters to his basketball career, leading to a physical altercation in which he shoved the reporter.
In the wake of the altercation and subsequent investigation, the NBA fined the 76ers $100,000 for providing inconsistent statements regarding Embiid's health. Despite the scrutiny surrounding the team as they struggle with a 1-5 start to the season, the league acknowledged that Embiid is dealing with legitimate knee issues that have sidelined him. NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars emphasized the importance of maintaining professionalism in interactions between players and the media, stating that while personal matters can provoke strong emotions, such interactions should never escalate to physical confrontations.
