Philadelphia 76ers middle Joel Embiid has been suspended for 3 video games with out pay by means of the NBA for shoving a reporter right through an altercation within the Sixers’ store room Saturday night time, the league introduced Tuesday.
“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” Joe Dumars, the league’s govt vp, head of basketball operations, mentioned in a commentary. “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.”
The incident between Embiid and Marcus Hayes, a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer who has again and again criticized the Sixers middle for sitting out video games, took place upcoming the Sixers’ 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Embiid objected to 1 Hayes column, written Oct. 23, that at first incorporated references to Embiid’s son and brother, Arthur, who died in a automotive hit in 2014 at life 13. Embiid’s 4-year-old son is called Arthur, upcoming his brother. (The ones references have since been got rid of from the piece).
Hayes didn’t reply bodily to Embiid’s shove, a group supply mentioned, and an NBA spokesman mentioned Saturday the league used to be investigating the incident.
“When I see people saying, ‘He doesn’t want to play,’ … I’ve done way too much for this city, putting myself at risk, for people to be saying that. So I do think it’s b——-,” Embiid informed newshounds Friday, one month sooner than the incident with Hayes. “… I’ve done way too much for this f—— city to be treated like this.”
Embiid has an extended historical past of accidents, together with orbital fractures, ankle problems, a torn thumb ligament and plenty of knee problems together with a torn meniscus. He has now not performed this season because of what the Sixers are calling “left knee injury management.” Earlier than the season began, the Sixers made folk feedback on their plans to residue Embiid right through back-to-back video games to retain him wholesome for the postseason. In his eight-year occupation, the 30-year-old middle hasn’t ever performed greater than 68 video games in a steady season and has averaged 54 video games performed according to season.
Philadelphia sitting Embiid for its nationally televised season opener Oct. 23 towards the Milwaukee Greenbacks brought about the NBA to forming an investigation. The league fined the Sixers group $100,000 on Oct. 29 for “inconsistent” statements atmosphere Embiid’s condition condition.
As The Athletic reported on Tuesday, the Sixers have been hopeful Embiid could be in a position for his regular-season debut once Wednesday’s recreation on the LA Clippers. He just lately started training in five-on-five motion, labored out widely sooner than the sport Monday towards the Phoenix Suns and used to be scheduled to participate in particular person workout routines Tuesday in Los Angeles that may have prepared the degree for what got here upcoming. Rather, with the Sixers already reeling, they’ll now have to attend even longer for his or her former MVP to be again on board.
As a result of Embiid’s suspense gained’t start till he’s formally deemed in a position to go back, it’s hazy as of but how for much longer he’ll be out. If he’s deemed in a position to play games Wednesday, next he would go back for a house recreation Nov. 12 towards the Brandnew York Knicks, the Sixers’ first NBA Cup recreation of the season. (They play games on the Lakers on Friday and at house Sunday towards Charlotte.)
The Sixers sit down in 14th park within the Japanese Convention with a 1-5 report. With Embiid out, their main offseason addition, nine-time All-Superstar Paul George, ignored the primary 5 video games of the season with a left knee bone bruise sustained in a preseason recreation Oct. 14. He returned Monday towards Phoenix.
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(Picture: Justin Casterline / Getty Photographs)
