Joel Embiid (Image Credit: Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers faced a challenging night on Saturday, suffering a 124-107 defeat against the Memphis Grizzlies.

With this loss, the 76ers’ record now stands at 1-4, a rough start to the season that has been impacted by the absence of their star player, Joel Embiid.

Embiid has yet to play this season due to a left knee injury that has left the team struggling.

Although Embiid was not on the court, he made headlines off it after the game.

Reports surfaced that he had a confrontation with sports columnist Keith Pompey from The Philadelphia Inquirer in the locker room.

The altercation escalated after Pompey brought up sensitive topics, including Embiid’s brother Arthur and the well-being of Embiid’s son.

ESPN’s Shams Charania provided details on the incident.

“76ers’ Joel Embiid got into an altercation with a columnist following tonight’s game in Philadelphia.

Embiid took issue with a recent column that referenced his late brother and son, and Embiid shoved the columnist.

No punch,” Charania wrote on X.

Prior to the game, Pompey had written a column that critiqued Embiid and addressed the uncertainty surrounding his playing status.

In this column, he cited Embiid’s son and late brother, who tragically died ten years ago, as reasons why Embiid should consider returning to play.

The mention of such personal matters understandably struck Embiid’s nerves and led to a heated exchange.

NBA Launches Investigation Into Joel Embiid’s Locker Room Altercation

Following the incident in which Joel Embiid was involved in a physical altercation with a sports columnist, the NBA is taking the matter seriously.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on the situation regarding the league’s investigation into Embiid’s incident.

“Now sources tell me and a league spokesperson tells me that the NBA has commenced an investigation into the situation.

They’re aware of the reports, and they are starting an investigation into Joel Embiid shoving a columnist and getting into a physical altercation with a columnist in the locker room,” Charania said.

The investigation comes at a time when player health and participation are under increasing scrutiny within the league.

Embiid’s comments about not wanting to play back-to-back games raise questions about his availability and the overall management of player health by the 76ers team.