Joel Embiid Shoves Columnist In Sixers’ Locker Room
Joel Embiid was involved in a scuffle with a columnist after the Sixers lost at home to Memphis tonight, according to Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
Embiid made contact with the journalist, but Charania describes the action as a shove rather than a punch. That version of events was supported by Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link).
Recounting the exchange for PHLY Sports (Twitter video link), Kyle Neubeck identifies the columnist as Marcus Hayes of The Philadelphia Inquirer, whom Embiid singled out in public comments earlier this week. Hayes has written multiple columns accusing Embiid of being unprofessional and blasting the Sixers for a lack of transparency about his condition.
Embiid was particularly upset about a piece from Hayes criticizing him for not being ready for the season opener and claiming that he’s not providing a good example as a father.
“Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the major inflection point in his career,” Hayes wrote. “He often says that he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother. … In order to be great at your job, you first have to show up for work. Embiid has been great at just the opposite.”
Embiid approached Hayes as soon as he became aware that he was in the locker room, Neubeck adds. He directed some profane comments at the writer, and Neubeck said he added something along the lines of “You can say I suck, you can say whatever you want about me as a player. Don’t ever put my dead brother’s name in your mouth. Don’t talk about my family. Don’t bring them into this. You want to talk to me like a man and talk to me about basketball, that’s different, but if you ever talk about my family again we’re going to have real problems.”
The shove occurred after about 90 seconds of the heated discussion, Neubeck adds, and then team security and other players moved in to break it up.
The Sixers are off to a 1-4 start as Embiid has been sidelined with “left knee injury management.” He has reportedly been making progress toward a recovery, but no date has been set for his return.
It’s possible Embiid could face a suspension that will keep him out of action even longer. An NBA spokesman told Charania “We are aware of reports of an incident in the Sixers locker room this evening and are commencing an investigation.” (Twitter link)
Pacific Notes: Russell, Hood-Schifino, Harden, Curry
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell is buying into a changed role under new head coach J.J. Redick, writes Khobi Price of The Orange County Register. Price notes that Redick said before the season that he wants Russell to have a “career year.” However, that may not show up on the stat sheet as Anthony Davis is serving as the centerpiece of the offense and Austin Reaves is handling the ball more often.
Russell had his best game of the season Friday at Toronto, posting 19 points, six assists and three rebounds. But his usage rate has fallen to 16.8%, which is sixth on the team, after being at 22.2% last season. He’s operating less frequently in the pick-and-roll as Redick has him playing off the ball and spotting up for jump shots.
“He’s bought into what we’re trying to do,” Redick said. “He recognizes that his pick-and-roll usage will be down. And what he’s told me and what I think he has certainly lived out in reality is that he just wants to win. He wants to be on the winning team. He’s been bought in. We’ve had no issue sort of with anything with him. He’s gonna get it going. We’re gonna figure out ways to hopefully maximize all our guys. It’s very early. I’m not worried about D-Lo.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The Lakers declined their third-year option on Jalen Hood-Schifino, but he may still have a place in the team’s long-term plans, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic (Twitter link). The decision was made to create more financial flexibility for the offseason, and the organization wants Hood-Schifino to continue developing his game in the G League. “I still believe in Jalen,” Redick said. “We haven’t given up on him.”
- James Harden insists he’s not too old to be carrying the Clippers at age 35, per Janis Carr of The Orange County Register. Harden is averaging a career-high 6.2 turnovers per game, but he told reporters that’s a result of high usage rather than fatigue. “You seen the usage rate, it’s going to happen. Like turnovers are going to happen,” he said. “I try to, but some of the passes that I thread, a lot of them are successful and some of ’em aren’t. So just trying to find a balance of when to throw and when not to.”
- Stephen Curry missed his third straight game tonight with a sprained left ankle, but the Warriors guard was able to go through his normal shooting routine before the contest, so it appears he’s close to returning, tweets Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
Spurs Notes: Paul, Wembanyama, Defense, Popovich
Chris Paul loves sharing his knowledge with younger players, and he has found an attentive group of students in his new Spurs teammates, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. According to Orsborn, Paul started his lessons shortly after signing with San Antonio this summer. He rounded up some teammates in Las Vegas and offered instructions throughout the five-on-five scrimmage.
“He’s like a player-coach,” Sandro Mamukelashvili said. “He is always so encouraging. Having him is such an advantage. He never says something that doesn’t make sense.”
The 39-year-old point guard has been around the NBA long enough to know that there are various ways to get through to different players. For instance, Orsborn relays that Paul didn’t offer any advice to Victor Wembanyama after he was held to six points in Wednesday’s loss at Oklahoma City. Wembanyama responded with one of the best games of his career the next night at Utah.
“Everyone you see in the league is always learning more,” Paul said. “(Wembanyama) has already been a pro for a long time. You give advice here and there, but he is going to be one of the greats.”
There’s more on the Spurs:
- Wembanyama’s line against the Jazz included 25 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, five steals and five blocks, making it the 23rd 5×5 performance in league history, per Tony Jones of The Athletic. He joined Hakeem Olajuwon and Andrei Kirilenko as the only players to accomplish the feat twice. “It tells me that I need to get my standards up,” Wembanyama said afterward. “It tells me that I’m able to help my team in all of those areas and that this should be a consistent thing. As I’ve said before, I thought this was a game that we must have. So I was glad that I was able to help my team in every area.”
- The Spurs are responding to coach Gregg Popovich‘s training camp emphasis on improving the defense, Orsborn adds in a separate story. They forced 25 turnovers against Utah, the highest total for the franchise in nine years, and recorded nine steals in the third quarter while holding the Jazz to 14 points. “We’re not ready to be a top-five defensive team by any stretch of the imagination, but we know that is the focus and we have played good defense throughout the season,” Popovich said. “We picked up where we left off from last year. I am really impressed with their understanding and enjoying what the defense can do for them.”
- Popovich is missing tonight’s game with Minnesota due to an illness, tweets Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson is taking his place on the sidelines.
Isaiah Jackson To Have Surgery For Torn Achilles Tendon
Pacers center Isaiah Jackson will undergo surgery on Monday after suffering a torn right Achilles tendon, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
Jackson had to be carried off the court in the fourth quarter of Friday’s game against New Orleans after collapsing with a non-contact injury to his right calf, according to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star.
Indiana is already without backup big man James Wiseman, who tore his left Achilles tendon on opening night. He underwent surgery last week, and a recovery timeline is still being determined.
With Jackson and Wiseman both unavailable for at least most of the season, Dopirak expects Obi Toppin and two-way rookie Enrique Freeman to see increased minutes as the backups to starting center Myles Turner.
The Pacers have an open roster spot to add another big man, but they have to consider the luxury tax implications of a new contract, since they’re operating within $2MM of the tax line. Wiseman’s deal only carries a $500K guarantee, but it’s likely to become fully guaranteed for $2.2MM due to his injury.
Jackson is in his fourth season with Indiana after being acquired in a draft-night trade in 2021. He had appeared in five of the team’s first six games, averaging 7.0 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 60.9% from the field in 16.8 minutes per night.
The 22-year-old will be a restricted free agent next summer if the Pacers decide to extend a qualifying offer.
Hornets Notes: G. Williams, M. Williams, Miller, Richards
Hornets coach Charles Lee talked about the need to develop “emotional maturity” following a late-game skirmish in Friday’s loss to Boston, writes Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer. The altercation started when Grant Williams ran into former teammate Jayson Tatum while the Celtics were pushing the ball up court (Twitter video link from NBC Sports Boston). Williams was ejected from the game with a Flagrant 2 foul and may face further discipline from the league office.
“It was a transition opportunity and I was trying to make a play on the ball. I did reach across his body and when you slow down the replay, it looks like I make a play and then I kind of go after it,” Williams explained. “J.T. is one of my closest friends always. There was no intention of trying to harm him in any way. So, it was just one of those plays where in full speed he passes the ball, which probably makes it worse because that’s when I reach for the ball. The ball is already out of his hand. … You seen me raise my hand, say I fouled him.”
Williams added that he wanted to apologize to Tatum immediately after the play occurred. But the teams were immediately sent back to their respective benches, and Williams was tossed out of the game before he could say anything to Tatum.
“We all know J.T. is my guy. Nothing intentional,” Williams added. “He got up quick and by the time I got up, there was a ruckus and they brought us to our benches. I’ll talk to him tonight or (Saturday). He knows. We probably don’t even have to talk. He knows it wasn’t intentional or malicious by any means.”
There’s more from Charlotte:
- There’s still no timetable for injured center Mark Williams, Boone adds in the same piece. It’s been five weeks since Williams was diagnosed with a strained tendon in his left foot, and he hasn’t been able to scrimmage or take part in any full team drills. “He’s engaged and observing all practice activities and film,” Lee said, “and even (Friday) at shootaround, he’s sitting next to me, trying to talk through the game plan and stuff. So, he’s doing all he can to make sure he’s soaking up all the information and terminology and when he comes back, he’s going to be ready to hit the ground running. But for now, he’s just kind of doing individual work. And the next phase of his return-to-play plan, he’ll do some group-type activities. And then once we get to practices and things like that, I think we’ll update further.”
- Brandon Miller will return to action tonight for the first time since leaving the season opener with a glute strain, Boone states in a separate story. However, Seth Curry will miss the contest with a right knee injury and Nick Richards, who has been starting at center in place of Williams, will be sidelined after leaving Friday’s game with a sore shoulder. “Nick has been a big part of what we’ve done these first five games. I’ve been very happy with him and his ability to kind of dominate the paint,” Lee said. “He’s altered a lot of shots, and I think he’s helping us with his pick-and-roll coverage and understanding the different gaps to be in in center field and create some indecision for ball-handlers. He’s done a great job defensively, and then offensively, he’s created a ton of advantages for all of our scorers, all of our ball-handlers.”
- Jared Weiss of The Athletic examines whether Miller, LaMelo Ball and the rest of the young Hornets can create an identity as a team. Weiss also talks to president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson about the unique approach he took in becoming the third team in the Karl-Anthony Towns deal, acquiring three players through sign-and-trades and effectively using the room exception as a trade exception.
Central Notes: Rivers, Middleton, LaVine, Harris, Reed
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers may have missed out on a chance to lead the Celtics to more championships, but he told Steve Bulpett of Heavy that he doesn’t regret his decision to accept an offer from the Clippers in 2013. According to Bulpett, the team was “fairly pleading” for Rivers to stay and oversee a rebuilding project after trading Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn, but Rivers was attracted by the money and the chance to coach a team filled with stars in Los Angeles.
“I thought about it that first year with the Clippers, like, ‘Uh, I may have made a mistake,’” Rivers said. “But after that, I didn’t really think about it at all. … One thing I’ve never done is I never look back. I just don’t. I’ve never done that.”
Rivers said he was confident that Boston would rebuild quickly, which it did, largely from the draft picks the team received in the deal with the Nets. Rivers wasn’t able to get the Clippers past the second round of the playoffs before his time with the organization ended in 2020. He spent three years coaching in Philadelphia, then took the Milwaukee job midway through last season. Although he hasn’t come close to winning a title since leaving the Celtics, Rivers takes pride in what he’s accomplished.
“Everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve won,” he said. “I got fired in Philly, and we were .653 in the three years I was there, you know what I mean? So, like, I’m fine with my legacy. I’m eighth in (career) wins, fourth in playoff wins, so I’ve got a great legacy. But I want more. That’s why I’m still doing it.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- There’s still no timeline for Khris Middleton to return, but Rivers was encouraged by what he saw at today’s practice, per Jim Owczarski of The Journal-Sentinel. “He did a lot today,” Rivers said as the Bucks held their first full practice session since the season began. “A whole lot. Stayed out on the floor with our guys. So, he’s getting close.” Middleton still hasn’t been cleared to practice in a five-on-five setting, which likely needs to happen before he can return to action.
- X-rays were negative on Bulls guard Zach LaVine‘s left shoulder after a collision in tonight’s game, according to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link). LaVine said he got treatment on the shoulder during the game, and he hopes to be ready for Friday’s contest at Brooklyn. He called it a “subluxation,” and Johnson expects him to be listed on the team’s injury report with a shoulder sprain.
- Tonight marked a homecoming for a pair of former Sixers who joined the Pistons this summer. Tobias Harris, who signed as a free agent after five-and-a-half years in Philadelphia, wasn’t surprised to get a mixed reaction from the crowd, relays Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press (Twitter link). “I think the fans here get a bad rep as far as their passion,” he said. “I’ve played in different cities and this is one of the cities where you can get booed by fans, but you’ll be out at a restaurant and they’ll put a baby in your hands for a photo.” Paul Reed, who got claimed by Detroit after the Sixers waived him in July, was happy to be back in Philadelphia for a night, per Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). “The city gave me a lot, I ain’t gonna lie,” he said. “A lot of trust. A lot of love. A lot of passion. So I really love Philly. I definitely felt some type of way when I left. But it is what it is. That’s the business.”
Warriors Exercise Option On Brandin Podziemski
The Warriors announced in a press release that they have exercised their third-year option on shooting guard Brandin Podziemski.
His $3,687,960 salary for the 2025/26 season is now guaranteed, with the team holding a fourth-year option for ’26/27 valued at $5,679,459.
The Warriors’ decision was an easy one after Podziemski emerged as a rotation regular during his rookie season. He averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 74 games while shooting 45.4% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range. He finished fifth in the Rookie of the Year balloting and was named to the All-Rookie First Team.
Podziemski, 21, made an immediate impact after being taken with the 19th pick in the 2023 draft. His outside shooting and feel for the game made him a valuable member of Golden State’s lineup, and he appears to be part of the foundation for the future.
Assuming the Warriors pick up his fourth-year option next October, Podziemski will become eligible for a rookie scale extension in the summer of 2026.
He is the only Golden State player whose option had to be exercised prior to Thursday’s deadline. You can track all the option decisions around the league right here.
Southwest Notes: Wembanyama Vs. Holmgren, Pelicans, McCollum, H. Jones, Huff
Two of the league’s best young big men will square off tonight as the Thunder host the Spurs, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. Victor Wembanyama was a unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year honors last season, with Chet Holmgren getting all but one second-place vote. Even their teammates are excited about their first meeting of the new season.
“Two big guys going at it,” Zach Collins said. “You don’t really see that too much anymore, so it is fun to watch. Kind of has a very old-school feel to it, two bigs going at it, two heavyweights, and it seems like both of those guys like that matchup and they take it personal.”
The duo faced off three times last season, putting up similar numbers as OKC won twice. Wembanyama averaged 20.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.7 blocks and 1.0 steals in their head-to-head matchups, while Holmgren countered with 16.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals. San Antonio’s victory came in February on a night when Wembanyama all but locked up the ROY vote, Orsborn notes. He posted 28 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, five blocks and two steals, then punctuated the win by screaming an expletive into a house microphone.
“It’s fun to be a part of and it’s good to see Vic have that motivation going against (Holmgren) and trying to get that upper hand,” Collins added.
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Coach Willie Green wants the Pelicans to shoot at least 40 three-pointers per game, but the team isn’t coming close to that mark, per Christian Clark of NOLA. New Orleans was just 9-of-22 from beyond the arc in Tuesday’s loss at Golden State, with the absence of Trey Murphy contributing to the shortage of three-point attempts. Clark observes that the offense hasn’t really lived up to expectations since CJ McCollum was acquired to team with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. The Pelicans added another play-maker by trading for Dejounte Murray this summer, but he suffered a fracture in his left hand in the season opener.
- McCollum will undergo an MRI tonight to determine what’s causing right adductor/hip soreness, according to Andrew Lopez (Twitter link). The Pelicans expect to have an update on Thursday. Herbert Jones had medical imaging done on his right shoulder Tuesday night, Lopez adds. The results were negative and he’s considered day-to-day.
- Jay Huff‘s new four-year contract with the Grizzlies includes a prorated minimum salary for the rest of the season, a source tells cap expert Yossi Gozlan (Twitter link). Huff is set to receive $2.4MM in 2025/26 and $2.7MM with a $379,382 guarantee in 2026/27. Memphis will have a $3MM team option with a $427,323 guarantee for 2027/28. Gozlan notes that the Grizzlies are now $1.8MM below the tax line and have $8.6MM left in their non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
Rockets Notes: Adams, Sengun, Green, VanVleet
Twenty-one months after suffering a PCL sprain in his right knee that required surgery, Steven Adams was back on the court Monday night making his debut with the Rockets, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle.
Adams, who sat out all of last season due to concerns about the stability of the knee, was traded in February from Memphis to Houston. He missed the first three games of this season because of a calf strain, along with the medical staff’s emphasis on protecting the knee, so he was relieved to be playing again.
“It was just good to be back. It’s been a long journey,” he said. “There’s still a lot of work to do, but it’s just fun to be out there with the boys, especially on a new team. Getting traded mid-injury, mid-rehab, it’s just good to actually play with the team, it just hits a bit differently when you speak to your team when you’re playing.”
Feigen notes that even though Adams only played 14 minutes, he totaled 16 screen assist points to take the league lead in that category. That’s one of the ways that the veteran center can contribute to the team, even though his playing time will be restricted for a while. He’s currently limited to five-minute stints and a maximum of 15 minutes per game.
“Typically with surgeries that’s why they call it a two-year process, because physically you’ll heal in the first year. The second year is the mental part, getting the connection back,” Adams said. “So it’s just that mental part now, but then also the mental part of the game: flow, timing, reading the body language, stuff like that.”
There’s more from Houston:
- Alperen Sengun doesn’t mind the increased expectations that come along with a new contract, Feigen states in a separate story. Sengun agreed to a five-year, $185MM extension shortly before the deadline on October 21. “That’s a good pressure,” he said. “That’s a pressure the stars can take it, you know. That’s what I’m going to go through the rest of my life. I’m one of the best players in the league. I have to get used to it. I have to take that pressure all the time. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable. It makes me feel great.”
- Coach Ime Udoka singled out Jalen Green‘s decision making after he scored 36 points in Monday’s win at San Antonio, Feigen adds in another piece. Green only had two assists, but Udoka said he did a great job of reading the defense. “He’s been phenomenal all year as far as that,” Udoka said. “I think he really grew toward the end of last year. Now it looks like he’s getting whatever he wants, whether it’s for himself or others. Some of those that he used to miss at times and kind of rush into a crowd, over-penetrate, he’s (now) making the right reads.”
- Fred VanVleet had a verbal confrontation with Jeremy Sochan after the game (Twitter video link). VanVleet refused to comment on the exchange, per Ben DuBose of Rockets Wire, but it appears to have been prompted by a derogatory comment Sochan made about Houston when asked about the rivalry between the two teams.
Colin Castleton Signs Two-Way Deal With Grizzlies
Free agent center Colin Castleton has joined the Grizzlies on a two-way contract, the team announced (via Twitter).
The 24-year-old was included on the Long Island Nets’ training camp roster that was released over the weekend. The team acquired his returning player rights in a G League trade earlier this month.
Castleton signed a two-way deal with the Lakers last summer after going undrafted out of Florida. He saw limited time in 16 NBA games, but averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds in 24 G League Showcase Cup and regular season contests with the team’s South Bay affiliate.
Castleton re-signed with L.A. on another two-way deal in July, but he was waived just before the start of the season when the Lakers gave a two-way contract to preseason standout Quincy Olivari.
The signing leaves the Magic as the only NBA team with a two-way slot open. Cam Spencer and Yuki Kawamura are Memphis’ other two-way players.