Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid is making headlines-and not for his on-court dominance. The 2023 MVP center allegedly got into a locker-room altercation with a reporter following the 76ers’ 124-107 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.
Embiid, who has yet to play this season due to a lingering knee injury, reportedly shoved the columnist in frustration over a recent article that touched on sensitive topics, including Embiid’s young son and his late brother, Arthur.
The incident has left the NBA on high alert, with league spokespersons confirming an immediate investigation. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Embiid took issue with the writer’s coverage, leading to the tense exchange.
Charania tweeted that, although no punches were thrown, Embiid did push the reporter, reportedly venting over the column’s references to personal family matters, including the tragic death of his brother in a car crash in Cameroon 10 years ago.
The last thing Embiid needs is more problems
This controversy comes at a challenging time for Embiid and the 76ers. Already missing all preseason games and the first five of the regular season due to injury, Embiid’s absence has left the team struggling to find their footing.
The franchise faces a rocky start with a 1-4 record, falling well short of expectations despite a solid performance from Tyrese Maxey, who led the scoring in Saturday’s game with 23 points.
Notably, Embiid isn’t the only big-name player the Sixers are without. Paul George, the nine-time All-Star forward, has also been sidelined with a knee injury, further complicating Philadelphia’s season start and leaving a massive $100.6 million in player salaries on the bench.
Embiid could miss even more games
While Embiid has spoken out against fans speculating that his absence is part of a “load management” plan, the team’s lackluster defense and struggles have raised concerns about their playoff viability.
The NBA’s investigation will now determine what penalties, if any, Embiid could face. For the embattled star, this season’s off-court drama only adds to the pressures of returning to full health and living up to his MVP form.
