An NBA spokesman confirmed the league is investigating a reported confrontation between Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid and a local columnist.

According to one ESPN reportThe 2022-23 MVP has approached Philadelphia InquirerMarcus Hayes about something he wrote.

The offending passage in Hayes’ column, which has since been removed from online versions after its initial publication on Oct. 23, refers to Embiid’s younger brother and son, Adam Aaronson by PhillyVoice.

“Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as a major turning point in his basketball career,” Hayes wrote (via Aaronson). “He often says he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his younger brother, who tragically died in a car accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er. Well, to be great at you. job, you have to show up for work first Embiid was great at the exact opposite.”

According to ESPN, Embiid went to Hayes in the locker room after last Saturday’s 124-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. He told the columnist that “you’re going to see what I’m going to do to you” if Hayes referenced his brother or son again.

The argument continued, with Embiid “pushing Hayes on the shoulder while the team’s head of public relations was between them.” Aaronson added that “There was no punch thrown or attempted by Embiid.”

A day before the incident, the seven-time All-Star expressed his frustration with the mainstream narrative that he is choosing not to play instead of dealing with a lingering knee problem. He specifically called out Hayes, although the columnist was not present.

The NBA looked into the matter and finally fined Sixers $100,000 for public comments made by head coach Nick Nurse and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey about Embiid’s health. The league found that the center is suffering from a “legitimate left knee condition” that prevents him from playing, however.

The Sixers are off to a 1-4 start with both Embiid and Paul George unavailable. George is expected to do his first appearance Monday night against the Phoenix Suns.