Joel Embiid Suspended Three Games After Reporter Altercation

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been suspended by the NBA for three games following a confrontation with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes. The incident occurred in the 76ers’ locker room after Saturday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, a game in which Embiid did not play.

The altercation stemmed from an October column by Hayes, which criticized Embiid’s missed games and mentioned his late brother and young son, references that have since been removed from the article.

The NBA emphasized the importance of maintaining professionalism between players and media, with Executive Vice President Joe Dumars stating, Mutual respect is paramount, and interactions can never turn physical.

The suspension will begin with Philadelphia’s game against the LA Clippers on Wednesday, followed by games against the Lakers on Friday and the Hornets on Sunday. Embiid is expected to return to the court on November 12 in the Sixers’ NBA Cup matchup with the New York Knicks.

This suspension marks the second of Embiid’s career, his first occurring in 2019 after an altercation with Karl-Anthony Towns. Embiid, who is yet to play this season due to knee management, defended his commitment to the team last week, highlighting past injuries and his determination to play through them. The 76ers have struggled in his absence, starting the season 1-5, with recent addition Paul George making his debut in a Monday loss to the Suns.

Denver Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon Out Several Weeks

The Nuggets will be without Aaron Gordon for several weeks after he sustained a strained right calf during Monday’s 121-119 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Gordon left the game after only four minutes due to persistent calf inflammation, which Denver’s packed early-season schedule has aggravated.

Averaging 15.4 points and 6.7 rebounds this season, Gordon’s presence has been vital for Denver, especially following their 2023 championship run. The Nuggets face a challenge as they adjust their lineup for their next game against Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Jaylen Brown Out Against The Warriors

Boston Celtics shooting guard Jaylen Brown will miss his third consecutive game due to a left hip flexor strain. Brown, who is averaging 25.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals this season, has been dealing with the injury since training camp. Despite his absence, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla expressed confidence that the injury isn’t a long-term concern, noting that Brown is working hard in treatment and remains optimistic about his recovery.

The Celtics’ upcoming game against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, a matchup between two high-performing teams, will serve as a key test. The Warriors will look to capitalize on Brown’s absence, while Boston aims to measure up without one of its star players.

With Stephen Curry back in action, the Warriors are feeling the momentum. Curry led the team with 24 points in Monday night’s 125-112 win over the Washington Wizards, shooting 7-of-15 and adding six assists. Despite being without De'Anthony Melton (back), the Warriors enter Wednesday’s game against the Celtics on a strong note, hoping to extend their winning energy into a marquee matchup.

Describing the team as vibing after the Washington win, Curry highlighted the Warriors’ positive rhythm, and they’ll aim to keep the streak alive as they face Boston without Brown on the opposing roster.

Jeremy Sochan Out Indefinitely After Thumb Fracture

The San Antonio Spurs will be without forward Jeremy Sochan, who is out indefinitely due to a left thumb fracture sustained in Monday’s game against the LA Clippers. Sochan left in the second quarter, finishing with four points and three rebounds in 12 minutes.

Scheduled for surgery later this week, Sochan’s recovery timeline remains uncertain. The No. 9 pick in the 2022 draft has been a standout for the Spurs this season, averaging 15.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting over 51%. His recent double-double performance in their win over the Minnesota Timberwolves underscored his value to the team.

The Spurs are also adjusting to life without Coach Pop, who remains out indefinitely due to a health issue. Assistant Mitch Johnson has stepped in as interim coach, emphasizing that Popovich’s health is the priority. Spurs players and staff are rallying in his absence, motivated to uphold the standards Popovich has set.

Knicks Sign Boo Buie on Two-Way Deal Amid Roster Moves

The New York Knicks have signed guard Boo Buie to a two-way deal, bringing back the Albany native after a brief stint with the team earlier this season. Known for his impressive scoring and defensive abilities from his college days at Northwestern University, Buie became Northwestern’s all-time leading scorer with 2,187 points. Last season, he averaged 18.9 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.4 rebounds while earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors and the Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year award.

Buie’s signing is the latest in a series of Knicks roster moves, which also include a traditional deal with Ariel Hukporti and a non-guaranteed contract with Matt Ryan. The flexibility of Ryan’s contract keeps the Knicks under the second salary cap apron, potentially allowing for Landry Shamet’s re-signing. As New York builds its rotation, Buie’s scoring and defensive skills could make him a valuable asset in the upcoming season.

Indiana Fever Officially Introduce Stephanie White as Head Coach

Stephanie White was formally introduced as the Indiana Fever's new head coach on Monday, joined by GM Amber Cox and team president Kelly Krauskopf. The Fever's decision to bring back White, a familiar face, signals their intent to build on recent successes and set a high bar moving forward.

With emerging stars Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark leading the roster, White and her staff are positioned to shape a new, ambitious era for the franchise. The Fever’s leadership team is eager to exceed their 2012 championship season and redefine expectations in Indiana’s basketball history.

Candace Parker Discusses Unrivaled’s Competitive Edge for the WNBA

In an interview with Yahoo Sports', Candace Parker shared her thoughts on the Unrivaled league and its potential influence on the WNBA. The three-time champion and two-time MVP believes that Unrivaled will push the WNBA to evolve and better cater to players, fans, and the sport itself.

Parker emphasized the importance of healthy competition and noted that Unrivaled’s entry could be a catalyst for positive changes within the WNBA as both leagues strive to elevate women’s basketball to new heights.

That’s all for today, thanks for reading.

We’ll see you tomorrow!

— The Players Unlimited Team