Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers will have a suspension that starts at his next eligible NBA regular-season game. He hasn't played this season with the knee issue, the team has stated.
Why Embiid Received Suspension
The suspension has been issued after a heated locker room confrontation on Saturday night between Embiid and Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes. The incident escalated into Embiid shoving Hayes.
As NBA News reported, this happened following columns in which Hayes wrote that Embiid was so reckless at the Olympics in Paris that he had lost control over his body and behavior and now has become soft for not being aggressive in crunch time.
What's worse, the reporter became too personal when he brought up Embiid's late brother.
When reporters went into the locker room, Embiid directly addressed Hayes.
"The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you're going to see what I'll do to you - and I'll live with the consequences," Embiid reportedly said in a raised voice full of anger and frustration.
Things then went worse when Embiid continued ranting, dropping F-bombs as he said, "That's not the f--- first time." The athlete highlights an important point about how athletes endure more emotional stress as personal lives become intertwined with public condemnation.
'Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA," NBA executive Joe Dumars said in a statement. "While we understand Joel 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 NBA has yet to decide on the actual duration of Embiid's suspension. In the meantime, the top 5 NBA center still awaits a return to the game as he attends to the recovery of his knee.
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Embiid Eats Suspensions For Breakfast
The suspension will always be linked to Embiid's name. Back in April, the Cameroonian cager was banned from the Empire State Building after pulling an extremely dirty play from his sleeve.
Against the New York Knicks, Joel unintentionally landed on Mitchel Robinson's foot while he was shooting a midrange jumper. He injured the latter's foot resulting in a left ankle sprain.
Related Article: Joel Embiid Return: Inside the 76ers Star's Impressive Recovery and the Leap They Need to Boost Playoff Chances
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