"When are they suspending Marcus Hayes?" - NBA fans clamor over Joel Embiid facing suspension for locker room altercation
Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid has yet to suit up this season but he's already been given a suspension. According to NBA Insider Shams Charania, Embiid has been hit with a three-game suspension due to his involvement in an altercation with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes.
The altercation took place on Saturday after the Sixers lost to the Memphis Grizzlies. Embiid reportedly took issue with Hayes after he wrote about the 2023 MVP's son and late brother, both of whom are named Arthur.
Fans have weighed in on the punishment Embiid received, with some fans focusing on Hayes.
"When are they suspending Marcus Hayes from ever touching foot in an NBA locker room?" One fan asked.
"Worth every game. I hope that journalist is fired. Absolutely ridiculous to even imply Joel is letting down his dead brother." One person tweeted.
"Are they going to suspend the member of the media for referencing his late brother & son?" Another person asked.
Meanwhile, other fans used it as an opportunity to take jabs at Embiid. Specifically, his availability.
"If they really wanted to punish him they should have made him play. He'll happily sit out," one fan said.
"That’s it? Instead of suspending him, they should force him to play. What is the point of suspending someone that isn’t even playing?" Another person tweeted.
"Exactly what he wanted. Should make him play 3 games instead," one person said.
The NBA's Head of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars stated Embiid will be suspended without pay. His suspension will begin on the first game that he is eligible to play.
Also read: Mitchell Robinson bluntly blames Joel Embiid for intentionally injuring him: "N***a grabbed my f***ing leg"
What went down between Embiid and Hayes?
At this point, most if not every NBA fan knows Embiid shoved a columnist. However, what exactly happened that led to the shoving isn't quite as well-known.
PHLY reporter Kyle Neubeck shared what took place between Embiid and Hayes on PHLY Sixers Postgame on the "PHLY Sports" YouTube channel. According to Neubeck, Embiid realized that Hayes was in the locker room during the team's postgame press conference.
This led to Embiid confronting Hayes and based on Neubeck's report, Embiid must have used lots of expletives as what he said could not be repeated. However, Neubeck summarized Embiid's point.
Embiid reportedly said that Hayes can say he sucks or make other criticisms regarding his skills. However, the Sixers center draws the line with his family. Embiid said that they can discuss basketball anytime but if Hayes ever brings his family into the discussion again then they're going to have a problem.
Eventually, Embiid ended up shoving Hayes which caused security and other Philadelphia 76ers players to come closer. Neubeck said that he was behind Embiid while this was happening.