Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid 'attacks reporter in locker room'

Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid was accused of shoving a reporter after a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Keith Pompey tweeted: “Oh man, people are going to remember the Sixers season for all the wrong reasons.” “The team just fell to 1-4 and Joel Embiid attacked a reporter in the locker room .”

In a later tweet from ESPN's Shams Charania, he reported that Embiid “got into an altercation with a columnist after today's game in Philadelphia.” Embiid objected to a recent column that referenced his late brother and son, and Embiid shoved the columnist. No punch.'

An NBA spokesperson told The Athletic's Sam Amick: “We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers' locker room this evening and are conducting an investigation.”

While Charania's tweet does not name the columnist, it likely references an article by the Inquirer's Marcus Hayes that criticized the 7-foot-1 Embiid's work ethic, referencing his late brother Arthur.

Sixers star Joel Embiid was accused of shoving a reporter in the locker room

“Joel Embiid always points to the birth of his son Arthur as the pivotal turning point in his basketball career,” Hayes' October column said. “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 paragraph reads, “To be great at your job, you must first show up to work.” Embiid was just the opposite great. Now in his eleventh season, he has been in consistently poor form. “This poor condition seems to have delayed his debut this season.”

Just on Friday, Embiid took issue with the Philadelphia media – and specifically called out Hayes – for criticizing the former MVP and accusing him of not wanting to play basketball.

“When I see people say, 'He doesn't want to play,' I've done way too much for this city and put myself at risk of people saying that.” “I think that's bullshit,” Embiid said .

“Like that guy, he's not here Marcus, I've done way too much for this damn city to be treated like this.” Done way too much. I wish I was as lucky as the others, but that doesn’t mean I won’t do whatever it takes to get out there, which I will.”

Embiid hasn't played any valuable basketball since helping Team USA win gold at the Paris Olympics.

Together with his star Paul George, who was also injured, Embiid missed the Sixers' season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks a few weeks ago.

Suspicion of his absence led the NBA to fine the 76ers $100,000 on Tuesday. The charges came after team president Daryl Morey and head coach Nick Nurse made conflicting public statements about Embiid's health.

Embiid hasn't played any significant basketball since winning gold with Team USA in Paris

Embiid is one of the best players in the league when healthy, having already won the MVP title in 2023

This comes just weeks after Embiid signed a $193 million contract to extend his stay in Philadelphia.

Back in October, Embiid drew criticism after reports surfaced that the center was “done” playing in back-to-back games.

This confrontation comes at a time when the debate over reporters' access to locker rooms has heated up.

In the NFL, the players' union has begun eliminating locker room interviews after games, saying they should take place outside of locker areas.

When he's fully healthy, Embiid is one of the biggest stars in world basketball – as demonstrated at the Paris Olympics this summer.

Embiid has played his entire NBA career in Philadelphia since being selected third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Since then, he has been one of the league's most dominant centers – winning seven All-Star appearances, being named to the All-NBA First Team once and to the All-NBA Second Team four times.

Of course, the biggest achievement of his career so far was being named the league's MVP in 2023, a year in which he took home the NBA scoring title for the second year in a row.