As if Joel Embiid's 2024-25 season couldn't get off to any worse of a start.
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The NBA announced that the Philadelphia 76ers star has been suspended for three games without pay.
NBA Drops Hammer on Joel Embiid
The league handed down Embiid's punishment on Tuesday, saying his recent altercation with a reporter prompted their decision.
"Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA," said Joe Dumars, NBA Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations. "While we understand Joel was offended by the personal nature of the original version of the reporter's column, interaction must remain professional on both sides and can never turn physical."
Joel reportedly got into it with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes in the aftermath of the Sixers 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. Hayes recently wrote an article criticizing Embiid sitting out, and he mentioned his brother and son, who both tragically passed away. The piece received widespread criticism and certainly bothered Embiid.
Embiid's Beef With Reports Explained
Embiid essentially told Hayes not to mention his family while discussing his on-court performance.
Embiid then informed the reporter that, "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."
Hayes attempted to apologize but the Sixers center reportedly rejected the attempts. The screaming match persisted for a couple minutes before Joel eventually shoved Hayes and walked away.
Joel Embiid has continued to endure constant scrutiny as of recently while recovering from his injuries. Like Hayes, many around the league have started to question whether Embiid is committed to playing in Philadelphia.
The Sixers star made it clear told that he would "love to be out there every single game" with his squad, adding that the attacks from the public were "bu****it."
