So much is going on with Joel Embiid right now. First, the Philadelphia 76ers received a $100,000 fine for making public statements that were “inconsistent with Joel Embiid’s health status and in violation of NBA rules, including the league’s Player Participation Policy.” The player was held out of the team’s season-opening game against the Milwaukee Bucks because of knee soreness. So when the NBA investigated, they found that Embiid was indeed dealing with a left knee issue, but the league also claimed that the statements made by HC Nick Nurse and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey weren’t accurate in reflecting Embiid’s status.

The NBA did not share which statements they found inaccurate. But secondly, Joel Embiid also got into an altercation with a media member from the Inquirer, Marcus Hayes. The athlete called out the columnist for an article he wrote that referenced Embiid’s late brother Arthur and his 4-year-old son. It read: “He often says that he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother…”

This irked the center and resulted in a locker room altercation. “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,” Embiid stated and while Hayes apologized, the NBA star was not ready to accept it. “That’s not the f—ing first time,” Embiid responded while also stating he didn’t care what reporters do.

“But you do,” Hayes answered, which only angered the NBA player more. At that point, Embiid raised his voice and pushed Hayes. While the reporter updated the column later by removing the lines in question, the damage was already done and this confrontation is what everyone is talking about.

Reflecting on the incident, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon joined Brian Windhorst to discuss the possibility of a suspension for Embiid. Brian pointed out, “Well, the issue is, there’s two issues with Embiid. That in it of itself, an altercation with a media member. You know, you don’t want physical contact. That’s not a good thing. The league is investigating.”

To this, Bontemps replied, “Well, you can’t. You can’t put your hands on anybody,” on the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective. The trio then discussed the various issues related to Embiid’s career in the Philly nation. Windhorst mentioned various issues regarding Embiid’s injury.

Throughout his career, Embiid has dealt with knee injuries that have required surgeries. Consequently, the 76ers decided to limit his participation in back-to-back games. During the Olympics, the U.S. team also gave him limited minutes, resulting in him not playing much. Furthermore, he did not come into the season in optimal physical shape. It seems the player was already going through a lot and Hayes’s article added it. So, is a suspension on the line?

Tim Bontemp: “We’ll see if Joel gets suspended or when he gets suspended by the league after this incident on Saturday.”
Brian Windhorst: “You think he’ll get suspended?”
Tim MacMahon: “I do.”
Tim Bontemp: “I would assume he will get suspended. I don’t know for sure.”
Tim MacMahon: “Yeah, jus because of the precedent it sets and yes, look, nobody was in the right in this situation. Because you’re a columnist, it is your job to call like you see it and be critical at times. … If you are going to be critical of a player, there is no reason to drag family into it…; Especially a deceased brother, his young son.”

Well, as of now, it is difficult to say what sort of discipline Embiid might face. The league is looking into the incident as there have been several instances where players and journalists have argued, but these are not known to turn physical. This reminds us of a previous incident.

Last season, Patrick Beverley received a four-game suspension after he kicked out a female reporter for not subscribing to his podcast. However, we must not forget that the suspension came after he also threw a basketball into the stands. And that action could have aggravated things.

This also brings up the below question:

Joel Embiid: What did Hayes write about the athlete to get such a reaction?

After the confrontation, Hayes updated the article and removed the lines which caused Embiid to get mad. But what were those lines?

Well, the reporter critiqued the NBA star’s absence and wrote a story for the Inquirer on Oct. 23, with the following lines, as reported by CBS:

“Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the major inflection point in his basketball career. 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,” the reporter wrote.

“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. Now in his 11th season, he has consistently been in poor condition. This poor conditioning apparently seems to have delayed his debut this season. Embiid won’t play in Wednesday’s opener or the next two games.”

What has been The Inquirer’s response to the whole incident? They are not willing to let go of it and will be taking the matter very seriously, as stated by the Inquirer editor and senior vice president Gabriel Escobar.

So far, the league has made no official announcement about Joel Embiid’s suspension, but it is expected to be a significant topic in the upcoming weeks.