NBA Investigates Alleged Joel Embiid Incident with Reporter in 76ers' Locker Room

Justin Casterline/ A spokesman for the NBA confirmed the league is investigating a reported confrontation between Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid and a local columnist.

According to an ESPN report , the 2022-23 MVP approached the 's Marcus Hayes about something he wrote.

The offending passage from Hayes' column, which has since been removed from online versions after its initial publication on Oct. 23, referenced Embiid's younger brother and son, per Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.

"Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the major inflection point in his basketball career," Hayes wrote (via Aaronson). "He often says that he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who tragically died in an automobile accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er. Well, in order to be great at your job, you first have to show up for work. Embiid has been great at just the opposite."

Per ESPN, Embiid walked toward Hayes in the locker room following last Saturday's 124-107 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies. He told the columnist that "you are going to see what I'm going to do to you" if Hayes referenced his brother or son again.

The argument continued and Embiid reportedly "pushed Hayes on the shoulder while the team's public relations chief got between them." Aaronson added that "there was no punch made or attempted by Embiid."

A day before the incident, the seven-time All-Star vented his frustration with the general narrative that he's choosing not to play rather than dealing with a persistent knee issue. He called out Hayes specifically, though the columnist wasn't in attendance.

The situation dates back to the surgery Embiid had this past February to repair a meniscus injury. While he returned to the court toward the end of the 2023-24 season and represented the United States in the 2024 Summer Olympics, he has yet to make his debut this year.

The NBA looked into the matter and ultimately fined the Sixers $100,000 for public comments made by head coach Nick Nurse and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey about Embiid's health. The league found the center is suffering from a legitimate "left knee condition" that's precluding him from playing, though.

The Sixers have gotten off to a 1-4 start with both Embiid and Paul George unavailable. George is expected to make his first appearance Monday night against the Phoenix Suns.