PHILADELPHIA (AP) 鈥� A visibly angry Joel Embiid shouted at and eventually shoved a Philadelphia newspaper columnist in a locker room altercation after on Saturday night.
The NBA quickly said it has opened an investigation into the matter.
Embiid took issue with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who mentioned the All-Star center's late brother and his son 鈥� both named Arthur 鈥� in columns questioning Embiid鈥檚 professionalism and effort not being in shape after playing in the Paris Olympics. Embiid for the 76ers this season.
As reporters entered the locker room to talk to players, Embiid stood and confronted Hayes.
鈥淭he next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you are going to see what I鈥檓 going to do to you and I'm going to have to ... live with the consequences,鈥� Embiid said to Hayes.
Embiid continued, with several instances of profanity in the next few sentences. Hayes offered an apology, which Embiid did not want. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 not the f鈥斺�斺�� first time.鈥� Embiid said.
Embiid later said that he doesn't care what reporters say. 鈥淏ut you do,鈥� Hayes answered.
Embiid appeared to get louder at that point, and not long afterward pushed Hayes on the shoulder while the team鈥檚 public relations chief got between them. Another PR person moved Tyrese Maxey鈥檚 interview to the hallway outside the locker room, trying to clear reporters.
At the same time, a team security person asked the media not to report on what had happened. Embiid yelled over the security guard.
鈥淭hey can do whatever they want,鈥� Embiid said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 give a s鈥�-.鈥�
Embiid had called Hayes out in a press conference following practice on Friday at the team鈥檚 training facility, referring to him as 鈥淢arcus, whatever his name is鈥� and questioning critics of his prolonged absence.
Hayes recently wrote a story saying that Embiid disrespects the 76ers and the game, and that the team should consider giving fans refunds when Embiid doesn't play.
鈥淚鈥檝e done way too much for this 鈥� city to be treated like this, done way too ... much,鈥� Embiid said Friday. 鈥淚 wish I was as lucky as other ones, but that doesn鈥檛 mean that I鈥檓 not trying and I鈥檓 not doing whatever it takes to be out there, which I鈥檓 gonna be here pretty soon.鈥�
Hayes was not at the practice on Friday. It remains unclear when Embiid will play, and the NBA probe will determine if disciplinary action is warranted.
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AP NBA:
Kevin Cooney, The Associated Press
