The NBA has opened an investigation after Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid had an alleged physical altercation with a reporter in the locker room.
Embiid, a seven-time NBA All-Star, is said to have confronted a local columnist about an article that referenced his son and late brother, which also criticised his fitness and professionalism.
The 2023 MVP has not played this season due to a knee issue.
“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 is reported to have said during the confrontation.
He is also alleged to have shoved the reporter before an official got between the pair.
The reporter is said to have offered an apology, to which Embiid responded: “That’s not the f***ing first time.”
According to ESPN, a team security person asked journalists not to report on what had happened.
However, Embiid yelled over the security guard, suggesting the reporters could do as they wish.
“They can do whatever they want. I don’t give a s***,” he said.
“We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers locker room this evening and are commencing an investigation,” an NBA spokesperson said in a statement.
76ers president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, also told ESPN that the team was aware of the incident.
“We take the situation very seriously and are investigating, and have already spoken to the NBA,” Morey said.
With Embiid injured, the 76ers were beaten 124-107 by the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.
They have started the season poorly, with the latest defeat seeing them fall to a 1-4 record.
Speaking to reporters last Friday, after practice at the team’s facility for the first time in a few weeks, Embiid expressed frustration with the concept that he doesn’t want to play.
“Everybody has been on the same page,” he said of his recovery plan.
“If your body doesn’t react well, and if your body tells you one thing [sit out]. I’ve done it.
“From what I can tell you, I’ve broken my face twice; I came back early with the risk of losing my vision.
“I have broken fingers. I still came back. When I see people say, ‘He doesn’t want to play,’ I’ve done way too much for this f***ing city, putting myself at risk, for people to be saying that.”
