The National Basketball Association (NBA) has suspended Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid for three games for pushing a journalist, Afrosport reports.
The Olympic gold medallist and 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player has been sanctioned for shoving a “member of the media” after a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist wrote an article criticising his fitness and professionalism while also mentioning his son and late brother.
The incident happened in the 76ers locker room after their 124-107 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies at Wells Fargo Centre on Saturday.
The 30-year-old will also serve the suspension without pay as announced in a statement by Joe Dumars, NBA Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations, on Tuesday night.
“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” Dumars said. “While we understand Joel [Embiid] was offended by the personal nature of the original version of the reporter’s column, interactions must remain professional on both sides and can never turn physical.”
The following has been released by the NBA: pic.twitter.com/eOQoaZxdUT
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) November 5, 2024
Embiid, who has yet to play a game this season because of a knee problem, will serve his three-game suspension when he becomes eligible to play.
The seven-time All-Star is expected to return to action soon as Philadelphia have endured a rough start to the season, having won just one of their first six games and sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference standings.
