The reporter Joel Embiid shoved after a game this weekend will continue to go about his day job … ’cause TMZ Sports has learned the Philadelphia Inquirer is not pulling him from his Sixers beat after a confrontation with the NBA superstar.
Marcus Hayes — a columnist at the outlet — drew backlash after criticizing Embiid for not suiting up for games … mentioning his late brother and son in a since-edited piece.
Embiid was furious over Hayes’ words … and approached the journalist after the Sixers’ home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, pushing him in the shoulder in the process.
His actions resulted in a three-game ban … which was handed down on Tuesday.
As for Hayes, we’re told everything will remain the same.
“No change,” Evan Benn, the Inquirer’s Senior Director of Special Projects & Communications, said of Hayes’ status.
“He is an Inquirer columnist who covers Philadelphia sports teams, including the Sixers.”
Embiid — who’s been dealing with a knee injury — will begin his punishment as soon as he’s listed as active on the Sixers roster.