ATLANTA — The suspension of Joel Embiid for bumping a reporter means he should debut in opposition to the group that final eradicated him.
The MSG villain served the primary of his three-game suspension Wednesday in Inglewood, Calif., in opposition to the Clippers, and the Sixers have two extra contests — in opposition to the Lakers and Hornets — earlier than a Nov. 12 residence recreation in opposition to the Knicks.
It is also the NBA Cup opener, however Jaylen Brunson did not wish to watch after Wednesday at State Farm Area.
“Give attention to Atlanta,” Brunson stated before a 121-116 loss to the Hawks. “Give attention to the Atlanta Hawks.”
After the Sixers’ loss to the Grizzlies on Saturday, Embiid got into an altercation in the locker room with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes.
Embiid took subject with Hayes’ column criticizing his lack of availability and yelled on the reporter for mentioning his lifeless brother within the article earlier than shoving him.
Joe Dumars, the NBA’s disciplinary govt, imposed the punishment, writing, “Mutual respect is paramount to the connection between gamers and the media within the NBA. Whereas we perceive that Joel was offended by the private nature of the unique model of the reporter’s column, the interplay ought to stay skilled on each side and may by no means flip bodily.”
Even earlier than the collision, the Inquirer eliminated the portion of the column that talked about Embiid’s brother.
Embiid, who has but to play because of suspected knee points, beforehand created controversy this season by asserting he possible would not play back-to-back video games even when wholesome.
In his final look, Embiid was eradicated by the Knicks within the first spherical of the playoffs, however not earlier than he injured middle Mitchell Robinson with a unclean takedown transfer. Robinson subsequently underwent surgical procedure on his ankle and has but to return.
Robinson hasn’t spoken to the media for the reason that surgical procedure in Might, however stated on Embiid’s podcast over the summer season, “It would not need to catch my leg, although. Hell, if I did, I would be out and about. I used to be going to rise up and stroll out of there.
Embiid is now suspended however might be again in time for the Knicks.
Backup guard Cam Payne missed his second straight recreation Wednesday with a strained hamstring.
The Knicks did not fare properly within the earlier recreation he missed — Monday’s loss to the Rockets — as Thibodeau performed Brunson your entire second half.
Rookie Tyler Kolek received Payne’s minutes within the first half in Houston and scored six factors in 8:44 in Wednesday’s loss.
As anticipated, newcomer Matt Ryan will not be a part of the rotation immediately, in keeping with Thibodeau.
“He simply got here right here [Wednesday]”stated the coach. “We now have to get him in, the chance might come. We all know if we’d like a shot, now we have a solution there.”
Ryan, a capturing winger, signed a one-year contract on Tuesday.
