The NBA has launched “an investigation” into a postgame altercation in the Sixers’ locker room Saturday night, the league said.

That altercation took place between Sixers center Joel Embiid and Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, whom Embiid criticized after the team's Friday practice over a column Hayes published on Oct. 23. Embiid took issue with Hayes' column, which mentioned Embiid's son and his late brother. TThe column has since been edited.

“Joel Embiid continually points out that the birth of his son Arthur was the most important turning point in his basketball career,” Hayes wrote at the beginning of the original version of the column. “He often says he wants to be great, to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who was tragically killed in a car accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er.”

The next line in the column was, “To be great at your job, you must first show up to work. In fact, Embiid was great.”

Later on October 23, Hayes posted

As the Sixers' locker room opened for media access after Saturday night's game, Embiid saw Hayes enter and began yelling at him. For two to three minutes, Embiid continued to raise his voice against Hayes.

Embiid's key message: He had no problem with Hayes or anyone else in the media saying whatever they wanted about his play on the court, but he believed Hayes had crossed a line by raising Embiid's child and brother.

At one point, Embiid made a comment about the “consequences” that would arise if Hayes mentioned Embiid's family again.

Embiid noted that this isn't the first time he's had this issue with Hayes. Hayes told Embiid that he had never mentioned Embiid's son or brother in a story before the one in question.

Hayes tried to intervene a few times, but Embiid didn't give him a longer chance to speak. Hayes asked Embiid if he could apologize – Hayes had said earlier in the conversation that he regretted mentioning Embiid's son and brother and clarified that the reference paragraph had been removed from the column – and Embiid announced that he was not interested in apologizing.

As the confrontation appeared to be nearing its end, Embiid became physical with Hayes, placing his hands on Hayes' shoulders. Hayes stumbled back a few steps, keeping his footing. Hayes did not appear to be physically injured in any way. Once that happened, three of Embiid's teammates restrained him to ensure the situation didn't escalate further.

There was no attempted punch from Embiid.

Immediately, the media — who had gathered to speak with Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey — were informed that Maxey would speak to them in the hallway outside the locker room. Maxey's availability lasted just over two minutes. After availability concluded, the media returned to the locker room where Embiid was no longer present.

PhillyVoice was present in the locker room Saturday night when all of these events unfolded.

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