Joel Embiid reportedly shoves a reporter in a heated argument

Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid was involved in an incident with a reporter on Saturday evening.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Embiid was involved in an “altercation” with a Philadelphia columnist following the Sixers' 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, leaving the 76ers without Embiid (treating left knee injury) and Paul George this season We fell behind 1:4 (bruised left knee bone) in the lineup. Charania and a reporter at the scene said Embiid pushed the columnist, who had recently written a column mentioning Embiid's son and late brother, amid a heated discussion.

Charania said on “SportsCenter” that the NBA is investigating the incident.

On Friday, Embiid called out Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Inquirer by name, along with other critics who questioned his readiness to play after being sidelined earlier in the season because of his left knee injury.

“I broke my face twice and came back early with the risk of losing my eyesight. I had broken fingers. I still came back,” Embiid said. “If I see people saying, 'He doesn't want to play,' then I've done way too much for this city and put myself at risk of people saying that. I do think it's (expletive) like that guy, he's not here, Marcus (Hayes).”

(Hayes mentioned by Embiid's son and late brother in a recent article — since updated to remove those references, according to UPROXX — critical of the Sixers star.)

Embiid continued: “I have done way too much for this (expletive) city to be treated like this. Done way too much (expletive). But like I said, I wish I was as lucky as the others, but I'm not.” But that doesn't mean I'm not trying and I'm not doing whatever it takes to get out there, and I'll be here pretty soon.

Sixers reporter Kyle Neubeck provided an eyewitness account of the incident on PHLY Sports' postgame show.

“The moment Joel realized (Hayes) was there, they got into a verbal back and forth,” Neubeck said. “Of course we cannot repeat many of the words said; the core idea was: 'You can say I suck, you can say whatever you want about me as a player: never mention my dead brother's name.' Your mouth. Don't talk about my family. You want to talk to me like a man, but if you ever talk about my family again you're going to have real problems.'”

Neubeck said Embiid and Hayes continued to go back and forth, the exchange lasting about 90 seconds to 2 minutes before Embiid shoved Hayes and security intervened.

Embiid helped Team USA win gold at the Paris Olympics this summer. He did not participate in the Sixers' preseason and missed the first five games of the season. Before the season, 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said the team would be “smart” about Embiid's health this year, telling ESPN that “Paul (George) and Joel (Embiid) probably don't play a lot of opposites.” “Back, if available.”

Embiid has struggled with injuries throughout his career and was only able to play in 39 games last season after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee.

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