Joel Embiid confronted a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Saturday night about a recent article that criticized him Star Center’s Desire to “Show Up for Work” by referring to Embiid's late brother and young son.

Embiid, who missed the Sixers' first five games due to treatment for a left knee injury, reached out to Marcus Hayes of the Inquirer following the team's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Shortly after reporters entered the locker room for postgame media availability, Embiid approached Hayes and the two had a brief back-and-forth. Hayes asked if he could apologize to Embiid, who did not accept it. The exchange quickly escalated and Embiid shoved Hayes before being separated.

The Athlete's Shams Charania reported that the NBA is investigating the incident.

Hayes previously apologized on X for his October 23 column. The Inquirer removed references to Embiid's late brother and son, both named Arthur.

In 2014, Embiid's brother was hit by a truck in Cameroon and died at the age of 13.

Embiid launched the “In Memory of Arthur Initiative” in 2022, pledging to donate $1 million to Philadelphia-area nonprofits. This summer he hosted a block party for about 200 children from these organizations.

“I still have a hard time thinking about the whole thing,” Embiid said on September 27. “He’s one of the reasons I do this. He is someone who cares about everyone. It's funny, all the stories I heard – because I hadn't been there since I left Cameroon – and looking back after his death, all the stories I heard… just someone who cared about everyone who cared and always gave something back.”

Embiid addressed Hayes during a press conference on Friday about his left knee and returning to play. Hayes was not present Friday.

“When I see people saying he doesn’t want to play … I’ve been through way too much,” Embiid said. “I've done way too much for this city and I'm putting myself at risk of people saying that, so I call it bulls—. Like this guy… he's not here – Marcus, whatever his name is. I've done far too much for this damn city to be treated like this. I've done way too much.

“Like I said, I wish I was as lucky as other (players), but that doesn't mean I'm not trying and doing whatever it takes to be out there, which is what I'm going to be here pretty soon.”

The 1-4 Sixers will begin a three-game road trip against the Suns on Monday night. Embiid said Friday that “everything is going in the right direction” regarding his health, but did not give a specific date for his return.