NBA investigating reported altercation between Embiid, columnist

The NBA opened an investigation following reports that All-Star Joel Embiid shoved a columnist after the Philadelphia 76ers' loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.

"We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers locker room this evening and are commencing an investigation," an NBA spokesperson told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Embiid was upset with Philadelphia Inquirer's Marcus Hayes for a story that questioned the star's professionalism and referenced his son and late brother, who died in a car accident, according to PHLY Sports' Kyle Neubeck. Since initially publishing the article, the Inquirer has removed the paragraph mentioning Embiid's son and brother.

Embiid spotted Hayes in the locker room after Saturday's loss and had a heated exchange with the columnist, Neubeck adds. The former MVP reportedly told Hayes he could write about him as a basketball player but never to mention his family in an article.

"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," Embiid told Hayes, per Kevin Cooney of The Associated Press.

Approximately 90 seconds after the argument, Embiid shoved Hayes before team security stepped in, Neubeck added.

On Friday, Embiid had a profanity-filled rant in response to Hayes' column, calling the article "bullshit," per Neubeck.

"That dude, he's not here, Marcus, I've done way too much for this f-----g city to be treated like this," Embiid said Friday.

Embiid has yet to play in a game for the Sixers this season as he deals with lingering knee issues. He was a full participant at Friday's practice but wasn't ready for Saturday's contest.

The NBA fined Philadelphia $100,000 on Tuesday for public statements inconsistent with Embiid's health status. The league also announced that Embiid hadn't violated its player participation policy.