The Philadelphia 76ers entered Thursday night’s game against the abbreviated Chicago Bulls. After two team All-Stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid came into close contact with someone who contracted COVID-19 last week, the team lost both stars to the NBA’s health and safety protocol. for the week.
Considering Simmons and Embiid have been quarantined for at least seven days, the two were ruled out as unable to play in a matchup Thursday with the Bulls. So instead of traveling to Chicago to work, play, and spend time with his team, Embiid had to spend Thursday night at home watching the matchup on television just like everyone else.
As you might expect, Embiid had a bit of fun with it. While not on social media as often as it used to be, the infamous troll tends to jump online now and then to give fans something to have fun with. Embiid usually likes to intimidate Sixers fans or make them pick something up – but on Thursday, he recommended one of his backers in a fun way.
Tony Bradley, who is usually a backup for Dwight Howard, kicked off Thursday night with Embiid out. Earlier this season, Bradley would play the second string to Dwight Howard when Embiid sat down, but Sixers head coach Doc Rivers wanted to go a different route when the All-Star misses games. .
So, as expected, Bradley started against the Bulls, and did not disappoint. In the first quarter, the young veteran dug his four shot attempts and collected eight points in eight minutes. In the second quarter, he went 2-for-2 off the field for four points in just over five minutes.
Embiid, the MVP candidate squeezed into the matchup, decided to have some fun with Bradley ‘s early success against Chicago and added that he thinks the Sixers should look into it. to build around the 23-year-old big man in his place.
All joking to one side, Bradley looked better than ever for the Sixers Thursday night. Earlier in the year, the reserve had some difficulty in the limited playing time it would receive. But on Thursday, he was pretty perfect as he put down his seven hits for 14 points and also collected five rebounds, stopping three hits.
Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_ & Instagram: @JGrassoNBA.