Philadelphia: A visibly angry Joel Embiid yelled and eventually pushed a columnist from a Philadelphia newspaper in a locker room altercation after the struggling 76ers lost to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.

The NBA quickly said it has opened an investigation into the matter.

Embiid objected Philadelphia researcher columnist Marcus Hayes, who mentioned the All-Star center’s late brother and his son — both named Arthur — in columns questioning Embiid’s professionalism and efforts for being out of shape after playing in the Olympics in Paris. Embiid has yet to play for the 76ers this season.

When reporters entered the locker room to talk to players, Embiid stood up and confronted Hayes.

“The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you’re going to see what I’m going to do to you, and I’m going to have to … live with the consequences,” Embiid told Hayes.

Embiid continued, with several instances of profanity in the next few sentences. Hayes apologized, which Embiid did not want. “That’s not the first time.” Embid said.

Embiid later said he doesn’t care what reporters say. “But you do,” Hayes replied.

Embiid seemed to get louder at that point and not long after pushed Hayes on the shoulder as the team’s PR chief got between them. Another PR person moved Tyrese Maxey’s interview to the hallway outside the locker room, in an attempt to clear reporters.