ATLANTA — Joel Embiid's suspension for shoving a reporter means he is scheduled to make his debut against the last team to lose.
The MSG Villains played the first of a three-game penalty on Wednesday against the Clippers in Inglewood, Calif., and the Sixers have the rest of the season against the Lakers and Hornets before their Nov. 12 home game against the Knicks. There are two games left.
It's also the NBA Cup opener, but Jalen Brunson didn't want to reflect on Wednesday's game at State Farm Arena.
“I'm focused on Atlanta,” Brunson said before the 121-116 loss to the Hawks. “Focus on the Atlanta Hawks.”
After the Sixers' loss to the Grizzlies on Saturday, Embiid got into an argument with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes in the locker room.
Embiid criticized Hayes for his absence in his column, yelling at the reporter for mentioning his late brother in the column before pressing him.
“Mutual respect is paramount in the player-media relationship in the NBA,” NBA disciplinary chief Joe Dumars said in a statement. “Mutual respect is paramount in the player-media relationship in the NBA. I understand that, but the interaction must remain professional for both parties and should never become physical.”
Even before the showdown, the Inquirer had deleted the section of the column that mentioned Embiid's brother.
Embiid, who has yet to play due to an alleged knee problem, previously caused controversy by announcing that he would not play back-to-back games this season even if healthy.
In his last appearance, Embiid lost to the Knicks in the playoff opener, but did not injure center Mitchell Robinson with a dirty takedown. Robinson subsequently underwent ankle surgery but has not yet returned.
Robinson hasn't spoken to the media since May's surgery, but he said on Embiid's podcast over the summer, “He doesn't have to grab my leg.” No, if he had done that, he would have been sent off and suspended. I would have gotten up and gotten out of there. ”
Embiid is currently suspended, but is expected to return in time for the game against the Knicks.
Reserve guard Cam Payne missed his second consecutive game Wednesday with a hamstring strain.
The Knicks didn't do well in the last game he missed (Monday's loss to the Rockets), as Thibodeau played with Brunson for the entire second half.
Rookie Tyler Kolek got Payne minutes in the first half against Houston, scoring six points in 8 minutes, 44 seconds in Wednesday's loss.
As expected, rookie Matt Ryan won't be part of the rotation right away, Thibodeau said.
“He just came here. [Wednesday]” said the coach. “We've got to get him in, the opportunity may come. We know if we need some shooting, but there's an answer there.”
Ryan, a sharp winger, signed a one-year contract on Tuesday.
