Philadelphia 76ers star big man Joel Embiid celebrated his 26th birthday in style despite the coronavirus pandemic. The Sixers center showed off his new crazy hairdo for fans on Twitter:
Blessed to see another year but damn I’m getting old… I wish it could’ve been in different circumstances but all we can do is Pray and take the necessary measures to protect ourselves and others. Also TRUST THE PROCESS #26 pic.twitter.com/JIvi0bJw6A
— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) March 17, 2020
Joel Embiid probably didn't expect to spend his 26th birthday inside with no people around. After all, the Sixers All-Star is a really outgoing guy and likes to have a good time.
However, the coronavirus pandemic is a serious global issue right now. The NBA suspended play last Wednesday after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert got a positive coronavirus test result. His teammate, Donovan Mitchell and Detroit Pistons forward Christian Wood, have contracted the virus as well.
Embiid and the Sixers went 39-26 before the campaign was suspended. JoJo was averaging 23.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the 76ers, who were in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Cameroonian big man was actually out of the Sixers' lineup when the suspension happened because of a shoulder injury. The NBA break allows Embiid to rehab his injury and be 100 percent rested whenever the season starts up again, whether that's in June or July or in 2020-21 if the 2019-20 season gets canceled altogether.
There was a lot of noise surrounding the Sixers this season, mostly negative despite their solid record. Al Horford and Embiid have been booed in pregame intros at their home games, Ben Simmons still isn't shooting jump shots and his fit with Embiid continues to be iffy.
Then there's Sixers head coach Brett Brown, who might have been fired had the team not gone on a deep playoff run. It can still happen, but fans just don't know if or when the 2020 postseason will be played.
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