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 Memphis Grizzlies 124-107 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 did not want. “That’s not the (expletive) first time.” Embiid said.

Embiid later said that he doesn’t care what reporters say. “But you do,” Hayes answered.

Embiid appeared to get louder at that point, and not long afterward pushed Hayes on the shoulder while the team’s public relations chief got between them. Another PR person moved Tyrese Maxey’s interview to the hallway outside the locker room, trying to clear reporters.

At the same time, a team security person asked the media not to report on what had happened. Embiid yelled over the security guard.

“They can do whatever they want,” Embiid said. “I don’t give a (expletive).”

Embiid had called Hayes out in a press conference following practice on Friday at the team’s training facility, referring to him as “Marcus, whatever his name is” and questioning critics of his prolonged absence.

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.

“I’ve done way too much for this ... city to be treated like this, done way too ... much,” Embiid said Friday. “I wish I was as lucky as other ones, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not trying and I’m not doing whatever it takes to be out there, which I’m gonna be here pretty soon.”

CELTICS 113, HORNETS 103: Jayson Tatum scored 29 points, Payton Pritchard had 22 points on six 3-pointers and visiting Boston beat Charlotte for the second straight night.

Derrick White added 18 points and eight rebounds for the Celtics, who beat the Hornets 124-109 on Friday night. Boston improved to 6-1.

Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball eclipsed the 30-point barrier for the fourth time this season, finishing with 36 points on 15-of-26 shooting before fouling out for the second straight game.

CAVALIERS 114, BUCKS 113: Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points including a jumper with three-tenths of a second left and visiting Cleveland remained unbeaten with a victory over Milwaukee.

The 7-0 Cavaliers are one win away from matching their best start in franchise history. They won their first eight games in 1976-77.

The Bucks, losers of five straight, wasted a brilliant performance from Damian Lillard, who had 41 points with nine assists and shot 10 of 15 from 3-point range.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists for the Bucks.

SPURS 113, TIMBERWOLVES 103: Keldon Johnson had 25 points, Chris Paul added 15 points and 13 assists and host San Antonio beat Minnesota without coach Gregg Popovich, who missed the game due to illness.

The 39-year-old Paul became the second-oldest player in NBA history with 10 assists in consecutive games. Hall of Fame point guard John Stockton of the Utah Jazz accomplished the feat at age 41.

Julius Randle scored 21 points and Anthony Edwards had 18 for the Timberwolves.

RAPTORS 131, KINGS 128, OT: RJ Barrett scored 31 points, Chris Boucher had a season-high 24 and host Toronto snapped a four-game losing streak by beating Sacramento in overtime.

Domantas Sabonis had 17 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists for his 60th career triple-double, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Kings’ three-game win streak alive.

Former Raptor DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points for Sacramento but also missed two 3-pointers to tie in the final minute of overtime.

The Raptors retired former star Vince Carter’s No. 15 jersey during a halftime ceremony.

WARRIORS 127, ROCKETS 121, OT: Buddy Hield scored 27 points and visiting Golden State squandered a huge lead before host outlasting Houston in overtime.

It was the Warriors’ 14th straight-regular season win over the Rockets and the eighth in a row in Houston.

The Warriors led by 31 points in the first half. The Rockets tied it with an 18-2 run to open the fourth quarter.

Tari Eason led Houston with 27 points.