Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been suspended for three games without pay by the NBA after an altercation with a reporter in the Sixers’ locker room on Saturday night. The league announced the suspension on Tuesday, stating that it stems from Embiid shoving a reporter.

“Respect between players and the media is essential in the NBA,” said Joe Dumars, the league’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations, in a statement. “While we acknowledge that Joel was upset by the personal nature of the reporter’s article, it’s vital that interactions remain professional and never become physical.”

Embiid’s suspension will take effect Wednesday when the 76ers play the LA Clippers. He is expected to return on Nov. 12 for a home game against the New York Knicks, which will be the Sixers’ first NBA Cup game of the season. During his suspension, the 76ers will also play the Lakers on Friday and host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.

The incident involved Embiid and Marcus Hayes, a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist known for his critical stance on Embiid’s frequent game absences. The confrontation followed the Sixers’ 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Embiid took issue with an October 23 column by Hayes that initially mentioned Embiid’s family, including references to his late brother, Arthur, who died in a car accident in 2014, and his 4-year-old son, also named Arthur. These references have since been removed.

According to a team source, Hayes did not physically respond to Embiid’s actions, and an NBA spokesperson confirmed on Saturday that an investigation into the incident was underway.

On the day prior, Embiid had expressed frustration over public speculation regarding his commitment to the team, saying, “I’ve done so much for this city, putting myself at risk, for people to suggest otherwise. I think it’s b——.”

Throughout his career, Embiid has faced multiple injuries, including orbital fractures, ankle problems, a torn thumb ligament, and knee issues. The Sixers have announced that he will sit out back-to-back games this season to manage his “left knee injury.” Over his eight-year career, the 30-year-old center has played an average of 54 games per season, with his highest single-season total being 68 games.

Philadelphia’s decision to hold Embiid out of their Oct. 23 nationally televised season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks led the NBA to launch an investigation, later resulting in a $100,000 fine for the Sixers on Oct. 29 for “inconsistent” reporting on Embiid’s health.

According to a report from The Athletic, the Sixers had hoped Embiid could make his season debut on Wednesday against the LA Clippers. He recently resumed full-contact practice, trained extensively before Monday’s game against the Phoenix Suns, and was expected to continue individual workouts in Los Angeles. However, with Embiid’s suspension, the Sixers will have to wait longer for the former MVP to return as they currently stand at 1-5, placing them 14th in the Eastern Conference.