The NBA “began an investigation” into a post-game altercation in the Sixers locker room on Saturday evening, the league said.

This altercation occurred between Sixers center Joel Embiid and Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who criticized Embiid after the team’s Friday practice for a column Hayes published on October 23. Embiid took issue with Hayes’ column, which mentioned Embiid’s son and late brother. TThe column has now been edited.

“Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son Arthur as the most significant turning point in his basketball career,” Hayes wrote to begin the original version of the column. “He often says he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who tragically died in a car accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er.”

The next line of the column read: “To be good at your job, you have to show up for work first. Embiid has been great at the exact opposite.”

Later on October 23, Hayes posted to

When the Sixers locker room was opened to media access after Saturday night’s game, Embiid saw Hayes enter and started yelling at him. For two to three minutes, Embiid continued to raise his voice at Hayes.

Embiid’s key message: He had no problem with Hayes or anyone else in the media saying whatever they wanted about his play on the court, but he believed Hayes crossed a line by bringing up Embiid’s child and brother.

At one point, Embiid made a comment about the “consequences” that would result if Hayes mentioned Embiid’s family again.

Embiid noted that this wasn’t the first time he’s had this issue with Hayes. Hayes told Embiid that he had never mentioned Embiid’s son or brother in a story before the one in question.

Hayes tried to intervene a few times, but Embiid didn’t give him an extended opportunity to speak. Hayes asked Embiid if he could apologize — Hayes had said earlier in the conversation that he regretted mentioning Embiid’s son and brother, and clarified that the paragraph containing the references had been removed from the column — and Embiid left know that he was not interested in any form of apology.

As the confrontation appeared to be nearing its conclusion, Embiid became physical with Hayes, placing his hands on Hayes’ shoulders. Hayes stumbled back a few steps and stopped on his feet. Hayes did not appear to be physically injured in any way. Once this happened, three of Embiid’s teammates restrained him to ensure the situation did not escalate further.

No punch was made or attempted by Embiid.

Immediately, the media — who had gathered to speak with Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey — were told that Maxey would speak to them in the hallway outside the locker room. Maxey’s availability lasted just over two minutes. After availability was concluded, the media returned to the locker room where Embiid was no longer present.

PhillyVoice was there in the locker room Saturday night as all of these events unfolded.

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