Joel Embiid suspended 3 games for altercation with columnist

Joel Embiid suspended 3 games for altercation with columnist

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was suspended three games after getting into an altercation with a columnist following Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania first reported Tuesday.

Joel Embiid’s three-game suspension will span Wednesday vs. Clippers, Friday vs. Lakers and Sunday vs. Hornets – meaning the former league MVP is set to make his season debut in NBA Cup opener against the Knicks on Nov. 12 in Philadelphia, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/6uUp2r2qJf

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 6, 2024

Embiid has yet to suit up this season due to a left knee injury, which kept him out of the preseason as well. Now, he’ll be eligible to make his regular-season debut on Nov. 12 against the New York Knicks, who bounced Embiid and the 76ers out of the first round in May.

There was no telling whether or not he would’ve played in any of those three games anyway, so it may not have been that daunting of a punishment for the 30-year-old big man. Sam Amick of The Athletic did report this week that there was hope within the organization that Embiid could suit up Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, but there was nothing set in stone.

“He recently began practicing in five-on-five action, worked out extensively before the game against the Suns and is expected to take part in individual workouts Tuesday in Los Angeles that will set the stage for what comes next,” Amick wrote Tuesday before the news about his suspension broke. “Barring a setback, it seems likely there is an end in sight here very soon.”

The confrontation occurred after the 76ers’ game Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies. It resulted in Embiid “shoving” him over an article citing his late brother and son in a negative manner–which is morally unacceptable to publish in the first place.

Report: Joel Embiid gets in confrontation with reporter over recent column

The 76ers were already going to be extra cautious with Embiid heading into the season. We already knew that. Paul George, who also has an injury history, made his season debut Monday and admittedly showed some rust. If Embiid plays against New York, his next four games would be against Cleveland, Orlando, Miami and Memphis, which isn’t the easiest slate.

The Philadelphia 76ers have dropped five of their first six games with five of their next eight coming away from home. Do you think this is a proper punishment for Embiid? Let us know in the comments below!

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This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.

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