Philadelphia 76ers player shoves columnist in locker room over article

Marcus Hayes, a columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer, was shoved by a player for the 76ers following a home game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 2, 2024.

The Inquirer reported that following the team’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, center Joel Embiid sought Hayes out in the locker room and confronted him about his Oct. 23 column, taking issue with its mention of Embiid’s late brother and his son. Hayes had removed the references and replaced a picture in the column after receiving pushback.

According to ESPN, Embiid told Hayes, “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.”

Hayes attempted to apologize to Embiid, according to the Inquirer, but was rebuffed as the confrontation turned physical. The incident lasted about two minutes, during which Embiid allegedly struck Hayes’ neck and collarbone with an open hand and pushed the journalist back, the newspaper reported.

The Sixers’ public relations chief got between Hayes and Embiid, and a team security guard asked other reporters present not to report on the altercation, ESPN reported. Embiid yelled over the guard that the journalists could do whatever they wanted.

Hayes told the Inquirer that following the altercation he was taken to meet with Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey and General Manager Elton Brand, who apologized for the incident and asked for Hayes’ version of events.

“They agreed that Embiid’s actions were unacceptable,” Hayes said.

The NBA said in a statement to ESPN that it was aware of reports of the incident and had opened an investigation. On Nov. 5, the organization decided to suspend Embiid for three games, ESPN senior reporter Shams Charania reported.

Hayes declined to comment when reached by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.

In a statement published by the news outlet, Inquirer Editor and Senior Vice President Gabriel Escobar said: “Marcus is an experienced and accomplished columnist who offers sharp and illuminating commentary grounded in his observations. You are free to disagree with what he says, but a physical assault is unwarranted and untenable and we are taking this matter very seriously.”