Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid will be suspended three games without pay for shoving Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes after Saturday's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, the NBA announced Tuesday.

“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in a statement announcing the suspension. “While we understand that Joel was offended by the personal nature of the reporter's original version of the column, interactions on both sides must remain professional and never become physical.”

The suspension will extend to the 76ers' next three games: Wednesday against the LA Clippers, Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers and Sunday against the Charlotte Hornets, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Embiid is scheduled to make his season debut next Tuesday in Philadelphia against the New York Knicks in the 76ers' opening game of the NBA Cup.

The suspension comes following an incident on Saturday evening in which Embiid took a jab at Hayes after he voiced criticism of his recent column, which mentioned Embiid's son and late brother – both named Arthur – while also mentioning Embiid's Professionalism and his efforts to stay in shape were questioned.

“The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you'll see what I'm going to do to you, and I'm going to have to… live with the consequences,” Embiid told Hayes during the confrontation.

Hayes apologized for the comments, which were eventually removed from the column, but Embiid declined.

Embiid later said he didn't care what reporters said. “But you do,” Hayes replied. Embiid pushed after Hayes while the team's public relations chief stood between them.

Embiid has not played yet this season as he continues to have problems with his left knee, which he had surgery on last season and which limited his play during a first-round loss to the Knicks in the postseason. He's on Philadelphia's West Coast road trip, which the 76ers opened Monday with a 118-116 loss to the Phoenix Suns in Paul George's debut for the franchise.

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, Embiid will lose $1,063,778 in salary during the suspension.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.