A visibly angry Joel Embiid shouted at and eventually shoved a Philadelphia newspaper columnist in a locker room altercation after the struggling 76ers lost to the visiting Grizzlies on Saturday night.

The NBA quickly said it has opened an investigation into the matter.

Embiid took issue with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who mentioned the All-Star center’s late brother and his son — both named Arthur — in columns questioning Embiid’s professionalism and effort not being in shape after playing in the Paris Olympics.

Embiid has yet to play for the 76ers this season.

As reporters entered the locker room to talk to players, Embiid stood and confronted Hayes.

“The next time you bring up my dead brother and my son again, you are going to see what I’m going to do to you and I’m going to have to ... live with the consequences,” Embiid said to Hayes.

Embiid continued, with several instances of profanity in the next few sentences. Hayes offered an apology, which Embiid didn’t want. “That’s not the (expletive) first time.” Embiid said.

Not long afterward, Embiid pushed Hayes on the shoulder while the team’s public relations chief got between them. Hayes recently wrote a story saying that Embiid disrespects the 76ers and the game, and that the team should consider giving fans refunds when Embiid doesn’t play.

Baseball: The Royals reportedly are bringing back RHP Michael Wacha on a three-year, $51 million contract that includes a club option for the 2028 season. The 33-year-old Wacha went 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA this past season.

Golf: Rio Takeda of Japan won the LPGA’s Japan Classic in a playoff that lasted six sudden-death playoff holes, defeating Marina Alex of the United States. It was the 21-year-old Takeda’s first victory on the LPGA Tour.