The NBA is investigating an incident involving Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and newspaper columnist Marcus Hayes after emotions ran high following a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. According to 6abc, Embiid confronted and shoved Hayes in the locker room due to tensions over previous comments about Embiid's family and commitment to the game.

Joel Embiid, who has not yet played this season, was reportedly upset by a column written by Marcus Hayes that mentioned Embiid's late brother and his son, which Embiid felt crossed the line. He was quoted saying, "The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you are going to see what I’m going to do to you and I'm going to have to ... live with the consequences." According to FOX 29, Hayes attempted to apologize, but Embiid dismissed it in frustration, insisting that his family be kept out of sports discussions.

This clash follows comments Embiid made during a press conference on Friday, where he addressed his critics and emphasized his dedication to Philadelphia. He explained the lengths he has gone to for the city and its fans and highlighted his philanthropic efforts, including the “In Memory of Arthur Initiative” started in honor of his brother, as reported by NBC Philadelphia. Embiid remains active both on the court and in the community, hosting events like a block party for local children from nonprofits benefiting from his million-dollar pledge.

While the specifics of the NBA's investigation have not been disclosed, discipline for Embiid could follow based on the findings and the league's assessment of the incident, which was more than simple physical contact and could lead to fines or suspension. Despite the investigation, Embiid's return to the court remains a focus, and he mentioned that his recovery is progressing well, though he did not provide a specific date for his comeback. The Sixers, currently with a 1-4 record, are set to begin a road trip against the Phoenix Suns and hope to focus on winning rather than off-court drama, which they can hardly afford.