Joel Embiid could be suspended. The 76ers are to blame.

When the Philadelphia76ers signed Tyrese Maxey to an extension in July and signed Paul George in free agency to secure help for All-Star center Joel Embiid, it was a 1-4 start to a season marked by problems on and off of the playing field was not to be expected.

But this is where the Sixers are five games into a season where they're in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. George and Embiid have not played this season, and Embiid faces a suspension for a physical altercation with a sports columnist in the Sixers' locker room.

The 76ers have only themselves to blame.

On Saturday, Embiid physically confronted Marcus Hayes, the Philadelphia Inquirer columnist who wrote a critical column about Embiid, referencing Embiid's brother Arthur, who died in 2014, and Embiid's son Arthur.

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

“Well, to be great at your job, you first have to show up for work. In fact, Embiid was great.”

It's easy to understand why Embiid was angry, and after feedback, Hayes and the outlet removed references to Embiid's brother and son in the online column.

The NBA is investigating the incident. ESPN called it a shove, and Philadelphia Inquirer Sixers beat writer Gina Mizell wrote that Embiid “hit and shoved” Hayes “during a profanity-laced tirade.”

Hayes told Mizell that Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and general manager Elton Brand “apologized for the incident, expressed regret that it occurred and asked me for my version of events.” … They agreed that Embiid’s actions were unacceptable.”

There were several things that happened leading up to the incident that could have been avoided. Hayes shouldn't have mentioned Embiid's brother and son in a column criticizing Embiid's availability, but the league can't have an incident where a player gets his hands on a reporter.

This, too, could have been avoided, starting with the Sixers being open about the extent of Embiid's knee problems, which would have given reporters and columnists more context. That doesn't mean Embiid is immune from criticism, but a complete picture helps form informed opinions. (Embiid has struggled with injuries throughout his career, playing in just 39 games last season after tearing the meniscus in his left knee.)

The Sixers were fined $100,000 last week for violating the league's player participation guidelines, and the league concluded that Embiid was suffering from a “left knee disorder,” an indication that The Sixers have not spoken openly about the condition of Embiid's knee.

The Sixers' suggestion that Embiid, who had a lengthy injury history, not play in back-to-back games didn't help. Maybe the Sixers tried to protect Embiid, but they did more harm than good. There's no indication that Embiid doesn't want to play, and considering he's a 7-foot, 280-pound player who moves the way he does and plays with the power he does It's not surprising that he has a knee problem.

The Sixers also could have played a larger role in keeping the peace, knowing that Embiid was angry and upset with the column and that Hayes was in the arena.

“The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you'll see what I'm going to do to you, and I'm going to have to… live with the consequences,” Embiid told Hayes. According to reports.

A team security official reportedly asked journalists in the locker room not to cover the altercation.

One bad decision led to another.

And now the Sixers could be without Embiid for even longer.

Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt

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