Joel Embiid Doesn't Regret Shoving Reporter, 'I Don't Care' if NBA Fines Me $10M
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid does not regret shoving a columnist back in November, which resulted in a three-game suspension without pay.
Speaking to ESPN's Dotun Akintoye, Embiid said: "I don't care if the NBA wants to fine me $1 million, $2 million, $5 million, $10 million, I would still do it. If he walked up to me just like he did, I would push him away again."
Per ESPN, Embiid confronted Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes in the Sixers' locker room early in the 2024-25 season after Hayes wrote a column in which he mentioned Embiid's son and late brother, while also questioning Embiid's effort and commitment to basketball.
When Embiid encountered Hayes, he reportedly said: "The 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."
Hayes approached Embiid and attempted to apologize, but Embiid shoved him, resulting in 76ers' staff breaking things up.
The beginning of last season was a frustrating time for the 31-year-old Embiid, as a lingering knee injury forced him to miss the Sixers' first six games.
After serving a three-game suspension on top of that, Embiid made his season debut on Nov. 12, but the knee issue forced him in and out of the lineup for the next several weeks.
All told, Embiid played in just 19 games, and his production suffered, as he averaged just 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, while shooting a career-low 44.4 percent from the floor.
Injuries have long been an issue for Embiid, but before last season, he had been named an All-Star in seven straight seasons, plus he won the scoring title in 2022 and 2023, and he was named the 2023 NBA MVP.
While injuries limited Embiid to 39 games in 2023-24, hopes were high for him and the Sixers entering last season, as Philly acquired nine-time All-Star wing Paul George to play alongside Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
However, Embiid, George and Maxey all missed significant time due to injury, and the 76ers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017, as they went a disappointing 24-58.
It remains to be seen if Embiid can get his health sorted out, but there is reason for optimism next season if the 76ers' core can stay in the lineup.
The Sixers added V.J. Edgecombe, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, plus 2024 No. 16 overall pick Jared McCain is set to return after playing at a Rookie of the Year level last season through 23 games before a knee injury cut his season short.
On top of that, the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics feel like they're in line to take a step back next season due to major injuries suffered by top players in Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks are likely the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference right now, but the Sixers could enter that conversation with far better injury luck than they had last season.
