Joel Hans Embiid is a Cameroonian-American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). 

On Saturday, November 2, 2024,  Embiid was involved in an altercation with a Philadelphia columnist in the locker room after the 76ers’ 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, shouting at him during an exchange of words before eventually shoving him.

Embiid took issue with Philadelphia Inquirer journalist Marcus Hayes. Hayes mentioned Embiid’s son and late brother, both named Arthur, while questioning Embiid’s professionalism and effort to stay in shape.

As reporters entered the locker room to talk to players, Embiid stood and confronted Hayes.

According to ESPN, Embiid said, “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,” to Hayes. After lots of profanity, Hayes offered an apology and Embiid responded with  “That’s not the f—ing first time,” Embiid later said he doesn’t care what reporters say but Hayes answered “But you do,”

Embiid appeared to raise his voice at that point and moments passed, he pushed Hayes on the shoulder and the team’s public relations chief got between them. At the same time, a team security person asked reporters not to report on what had happened. Embiid yelled over the security guard.

“They can do whatever they want,” Embiid said. “I don’t give a s-”

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps that the team was aware of the incident and stated “We take the situation very seriously and are investigating, and have already spoken to the NBA,”

The NBA suspended Embiid for three games without pay.