Joel Embiid slated to make season debut against Knicks after suspension for shoving reporter

ATLANTA — Joel Embiid’s suspension for shoving a newsman intends he’s scheduled to debut against nan squad that past eliminated him. 

The MSG villain served nan first of his three-game reward connected Wednesday successful Inglewood, Calif., against nan Clippers, and nan Sixers person 2 much contests — against nan Lakers and Hornets — earlier a Nov. 12 location crippled versus nan Knicks. 

It’s besides nan opener of nan NBA Cup, but Jalen Brunson didn’t want to look past Wednesday successful State Farm Arena. 

“Focus connected Atlanta,” Brunson said before a 121-116 nonaccomplishment to nan Hawks. “Focus connected nan Atlanta Hawks.” 

Following Saturday’s Sixers nonaccomplishment to nan Grizzlies, Embiid sewage into a locker-room altercation pinch Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes.

Embiid took rumor pinch Hayes’ file criticizing his deficiency of readiness and shouted astatine nan newsman astir mentioning his dormant relative successful nan portion earlier shoving him. 

Joe Dumars, nan NBA’s disciplinary executive, levied nan reward while writing, “Mutual respect is paramount to nan narration betwixt players and media successful nan NBA. While we understand Joel was offended by nan individual quality of nan original type of nan reporter’s column, interactions must stay master connected some sides and tin ne'er move physical.” 

Even earlier nan confrontation, nan Inquirer had removed nan conception of nan file referencing Embiid’s brother. 

Embiid, who hasn’t played yet because of expected knee problems, had antecedently created contention this play by announcing he astir apt won’t play successful back-to-backs moreover erstwhile healthy. 

In his past appearance, Embiid was eliminated by nan Knicks successful nan opening information of nan playoffs but not earlier injuring halfway Mitchell Robinson pinch a soiled takedown move. Robinson subsequently underwent room to his ankle and still hasn’t returned. 

Robinson hasn’t talked to nan media since nan room successful May, but said connected a podcast successful nan summertime of Embiid, “He ain’t person to drawback my limb though. Hell, if I did it I would person been retired and suspended. I would’ve been up and retired of there.” 

Now Embiid is suspended but will return successful clip for nan Knicks. 

Reserve defender Cam Payne missed his 2nd consecutive crippled Wednesday pinch a strained hamstring. 

The Knicks didn’t fare good successful his erstwhile missed crippled — a nonaccomplishment to nan Rockets connected Monday — arsenic Thibodeau played Brunson nan full 2nd half. 

Rookie Tyler Kolek sewage Payne’s minutes successful nan opening half successful Houston and scored six points successful 8:44 successful Wednesday’s loss. 

As expected, newcomer Matt Ryan won’t beryllium portion of nan rotation immediately, according to Thibodeau. 

“He conscionable sewage present [Wednesday],” nan coach said. “We person to get him in, nan opportunity whitethorn come. We cognize if we request shooting, we person an reply there.” 

Ryan, a sharpshooting wing, signed a one-year woody Tuesday.