The Philadelphia 76ers’ season has been memorable, but not for positive reasons. After a shaky 2-5 start, things worsened when star player Joel Embiid reportedly shoved a media member, escalating the team’s troubles. An NBA investigation into the incident between Embiid and a 76ers columnist is underway, and on a recent episode of *The Hoop Collective*, several NBA insiders predicted that a suspension might be coming.
“Do you think he’ll get suspended?” asked ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
“I would assume he will, but I can’t say for sure,” responded Tim Bontemps.
“I think so, mainly because of the precedent it sets,” Tim MacMahon added. “No one handled this well. As a columnist, you’re expected to offer critique, but bringing family, especially a late brother and a young son, into it is out of line. That’s unacceptable.”
Potential penalties loom over Embiid, with the NBA likely to issue a hefty fine or suspension. Although the columnist’s remarks were in poor taste, mentioning Embiid’s deceased brother and young son, the league has a strict stance against players threatening or physically engaging with non-players.
The NBA typically addresses player violence toward non-players at league venues with severity. While altercations between players and fans have led to suspensions, such as Ron Artest’s season-long ban after the Malice at the Palace, this case is unique because it involves a journalist. In a similar but less severe case, Patrick Beverley received a four-game suspension last season for throwing a ball at fans and confronting an ESPN producer.
However, Embiid’s case lacks a direct comparison, leaving uncertainty about the league’s potential response. The investigation continues, and for now, the outcome remains unclear.
