PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Joel Embiid, of the Philadelphia 76ers, has been suspended for three games without pay after she allegedly yelled at him and finally pushed him a Philadelphia newspaper columnist in a locker room altercation after lose to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.

The announcement was made by Joe Dumars, executive vice president and head of basketball operations for the NBA.

Embiid’s suspension will begin with the next NBA regular-season game in which he is eligible and able to play, according to the NBA.

The incident began when Embiid apparently got into trouble with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes on Saturday night.

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Hayes had mentioned the All-Star center’s late brother and his son, both named Arthur, in columns that questioned Embiid’s professionalism and effort to be out of shape after playing in the Paris Olympics. Embiid has yet to play for the 76ers this season.

“Mutual respect is paramount in the relationship between players and the media in the NBA,” Dumars wrote in a statement. “While we understand that Joel was offended by the personal nature of the journalist’s original version of the column, interactions must remain professional on both sides and can never become physical.”

When reporters entered the locker room to talk to the players, Embiid allegedly stood up and confronted Hayes.

“Next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you’re 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. .

Embiid continued, with several instances of profanity in the following sentences. Hayes offered an apology, which Embiid declined. “That’s not the fucking first time.” Embiid said.

Embiid later said he doesn’t care what reporters say. “But you do,” Hayes responded.

Embiid seemed to get louder at that point, and soon after shoved Hayes on the shoulder as the team’s public relations chief stood between them. Another PR person moved Tyrese Maxey’s interview to the hallway outside the locker room, trying to clarify for reporters.

At the same time, a team security official asked the media not to report on what happened. Embiid yelled over the security guard.

“They can do whatever they want,” Embiid said. “I don’t give a damn.”

Embiid had called out Hayes at a news conference after Friday’s practice at the team’s training facility, referring to him as “Marcus, whatever his name is” and questioning critics of his prolonged absence.

Hayes recently wrote a story saying that Embiid disrespects the 76ers and the game, and that the team should consider offering refunds to fans when Embiid doesn’t play.

“I’ve done too much for this… city to be treated like this, I’ve done too… too much,” Embiid said Friday. “I wish I was as lucky as everyone else, but that doesn’t mean I’m not trying and I’m not doing whatever it takes to be there, and I’ll be here very soon.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.