‘Crossed the line’: Joel Embiid blasts, shoves reporter over ‘dead brother’ swipe

NBA superstar Joel Embiid has reportedly shoved a reporter in heated scene in the change rooms over an ugly swipe.

The fans were on Embiid’s side. Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid has reportedly shouted at and shoved a columnist in the locker rooms after his side’s 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

The 2022-23 NBA MVP has been sidelined due to “left knee injury management” to start the season as the 76ers lurch to a 1-4 start to the year.

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But claims emerged after the match that Embiid had shoved Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes over a recent story where the reporter had referenced the 30-year-old’s son and brother Arthur, the latter of which who died in 2014.

Embiid’s son, who was born in 2020, is also named Arthur after his late brother.

The NBA has since revealed it would be opening an investigation.

As reporters entered the locker room after the game, Embiid confronted Hayes, reportedly 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.”

Embiid continued to go after the columnist in a profanity filled blow up, before Hayes offered an apology.

However, Embiid replied: “That’s not the f**king first time.”

The confrontation continued to get heated when Embiid reportedly pushed Hayes before the 76ers PR boss got between them.

As they tried to clear the room, a security guard reportedly asked the media to not report the incident, to which Embiid replied: “They can do whatever they want. I don’t give a s**t.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey reported the news via X, tweeting: “Oh, boy, people will remember the Sixers season for all the wrong reasons. The team just dropped to 1-4 and Joel Embiid assaulted a reporter in the locker room.”

However, ESPN’s Shams Charania said: “Embiid took issue with a recent column that referenced his late brother and son, and Embiid shoved the columnist. No punch.”

Marcus Hayes' X profile pic. Photo: X

Embiid has been sidelined to start the season. Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Hayes had written a column earlier this week, suggesting that Embiid owed it to Philadelphia to ensure he’s fit and on the floor as much as possible.

“Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the major inflection point in his career. He often says that he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who died in an automobile accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er,” Hayes wrote.

“Well, in order to be great at your job, you first have to show up for work. Embiid has been great at just the opposite. Now in his 11th season, he consistently has been in poor condition.”

Hayes continued, adding the “The degree of contempt Embiid has for his organisation … is utterly flabbergasting”. He later added that it was a “dereliction of duty”.

Last season, Embiid played just 39 games, while he has played 433 games over eight seasons — his first two seasons in Philadelphia were completely wiped out by injury and this season he hasn’t made it on to the floor.

It means he averages just over 54 matches per season.

In September, Embiid signed a three-year, $US193 million ($A283m) extension until the end of the 2028-29 season, which will make his remaining deal worth a mouth-watering $A440 million. If he makes it to the end of the 2028-29 season, Embiid will have made $US514m ($A784m)

ESPN Australia’s Steve Smith commented: “Not hard to see why Joel was upset. Criticise his performances and his availability or lack thereof but this absolutely crossed the line.”

The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie said “My take is simple: don’t bring up a dude’s family to take a shot at him for being hurt.”

Barstool’s Dan Katz wrote: “After reading the article I think Joel Embiid is 100 per cent innocent and should be commended for the shove (no punch).”

Another suggested: “If this is the journalist that Embiid assaulted then he has every right to put hands on that man.”

The fans were on Embiid’s side. Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Speaking to PHLY Sports on YouTube after the game, reporter Kyle Neubeck gave a first hand account of the clash, which he said lasted around “two to three minutes”.

“The second that Joel realised he (Hayes) was there (in the locker room), he got into a verbal back-end-forth, that obviously we can’t repeat,” Neubeck said.

“The basic gist of it was: ‘You can say I suck, you can say whatever you want about me as a player, (but) don’t ever put that brother’s name in your mouth, don’t talk about my family.’

“At some point, Joel shoves him, team security steps in, players surround the situation and then everyone sort of dispersed.

“He (Hayes) did at one point offer an apology that Joel just simply did not accept … (because) it has gone beyond basketball.”

It comes after Embiid had blasted Hayes in a press conference after practice a day earlier.

“I’ve done way too much for this city to be treated like this, done way too much,” Embiid said.

“I wish I was as lucky as other ones, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not trying and I’m not doing whatever it takes to be out there, which I’m gonna be here pretty soon.”