While she has yet to play this season, Philadelphia Sixers star, Joel Embiidis under investigation by the NBA after an alleged altercation in the locker room with a reporter, several US media outlets reported on Saturday.

Embiid allegedly shoved a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist who had recently written a critical commentary against him, referring to the 30-year-old pivot’s son and late brother.

“We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers locker room tonight and are beginning an investigation.”said an NBA spokesperson quoted by US media.

Embiid, the NBA’s best player in 2023, who also won this summer the gold medal at the Paris Olympics with the USAhas not played at all this season, due to a knee injury. In his absence, the Sixers got off to a poor start, as evidenced by their fourth loss in five games, conceded at home to Memphis on Saturday (124-107).

“No punch” but a shove

The journalist fromESPN Shams Charania said that after this setback, Embiid embarked on a “verbal exchange” with the journalist who had written the critical article, Marcus Hayes of the Inquirer.

“Embiid objected to a recent article that referenced his deceased brother and his son, and Embiid shoved the reporter. There was no punch.”Charania explained.

In a recent editorial devoted to Embiid’s recurring injury problems, Hayes questioned the Sixers star’s commitment to the “greatness” of his sport. “Joel Embiid regularly refers to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the major inflection point in his basketball career.”Hayes wrote.

“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 Sixer.” in October 2014, according to the text. “To be great at your job, you have to show up to work first. Embiid has shown himself to be great at doing just the opposite.”Hayes added.