Joel Embiid was called upon to make a statement on the increase of COVID cases in the NBA during the last two weeks. The Sixers superstar did not hold calling out NBA peers to be more careful, especially in their activities outside basketball.
The NBA faces a huge surge on COVID-19 cases with two Bulls’ games being postponed because of the situation, while several teams are playing without key players during the last few days.
The Nets faced the Sixers Wednesday with seven players inactive due to COVID protocols. The Sixers played without Georges Niang, who entered NBA’s health and safety protocols on Tuesday.
“We all got to protect each other. Whether it’s wearing masks making sure whatever you do outside of basketball, that you think about your teammates, their family or your own family,” Embiid said after the loss to Brooklyn, per Yaron Weitzman.
“It does suck. But from the beginning, you know, even when it hit us, I was mad because I thought last year there was great precautions in place and this year it was just all over the place and I just thought it was unprofessional and that’s where we are now,” Embiid continued.
Embiid was the top performer of a 76ers’ squad that lost the third consecutive game to drop to 15-15. The superstar center had 32 points as the Sixers could not complete a 20-point comeback in the second half.
Philadelphia will try to bounce back as Embiid and co. are heading back home to face New Orleans at Wells Fargo Center on Monday night.
