Philadelphia’s American-Cameroonian pivot Joel Embiid, MVP in 2023, was suspended three matches for “josting” a journalist, the NBA announced this Tuesday, November 6.
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Embiid had pushed into the locker room on Saturday a journalist from the Philadelphia Inquirer who had recently written an editorial critical of him, referring to the son and late brother of the 30-year-old pivot, in a text which deplored the player’s absences on the court.
A gold medalist this summer at the Olympics with the United States, Embiid, whose career has been marred by injuries, missed the 76ers’ first six games, citing problems with his left knee, for which he had surgery in February.
“ While we understand that Joel may have been offended by the personal nature of the reporter’s first version of the editorial, interactions should remain professional on both sides and should never become physical », Commented Joe Dumars, vice-president of the NBA quoted in the press release.
The NBA specifies that Embiid’s suspension will begin during the next regular season game for which he will be ” available and ready to play », and that he will be deprived of salary during his suspension.
Strengthened this summer by the arrival of Paul George, Philadelphia is having a difficult start to the season with five defeats and only one victory.