Sixers’ Ryan Broekhoff not with team because wife tested positive for COVID-19

Now we know why newly acquired guard Ryan Broekhoff is not with the 76ers for the NBA restart.

The sharpshooting Aussie announced on Twitter Sunday that his wife has tested positive for COVID-19.

“We have a young son and my focus needs to be with my family at this time,” Broekhoff wrote. “I appreciate the 76ers for their support.”

The 29-year-old’s wife has an autoimmune disease, which makes her high risk for COVID-19 complications. Because of that and his 1-year-old son, he was actually unsure about signing to play with the Sixers this summer.

A team spokesman said the Sixers had no information to share Sunday in regards to whether Broekhoff is expected to join the team in Orlando, Fla., at some point. General manager Elton Brand did not immediately return a phone call from The Inquirer.

Broekhoff last played in an NBA game on Feb. 8 as a member of the Dallas Mavericks.

He has averaged 4.0 points and 10.7 minutes while shooting 40.3% from three-point range in 59 career NBA games over two seasons with Dallas.

Al Horford won’t have a social-justice phrase on the back of his jersey for the NBA restart.

“I think that that was a good idea initially by the NBA,” the Sixers power forward/center said during a video call with reporters Sunday morning. “Ultimately, I’m not going to have one. I thought back and forth on it a little bit, but I’m not going to have a phrase.”

Horford addressed the media before the Sixers’ second consecutive day of practice.

The league is allowing players to replace their names on the back of their jerseys with social-justice messages. The NBA and National Basketball Players Association agreed to a list that includes: Black Lives Matter; Say Their Names; Vote; I Can’t Breathe; Justice; Peace; Power to the People; Justice Now; Say Her Name; Si Se Puede (Yes We Can); See Us; Hear Us; Respect Us; Love Us; Liberation; Listen; Listen To Us; Stand Up; Ally; Anti-Racist; I Am A Man; Speak Up; How Many More; Group Economic; Education Reform; and Mentor.

Matisse Thybulle will wear ‘Vote’ on the back on his jersey.

Teammate Mike Scott called it a bad list. He’s disappointed that players weren’t given a chance to come up with their own phrases.

“I understand and share Mike Scott’s sentiment a little bit,” Horford said. “Even though it’s a great platform for us to promote things, I think that maybe [we should] have the ability to say what you would want to say and leave it like that.

“But at the end of the day, everyone ... makes their own decision. Whatever they feel is right, whatever they want to do.”

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James announced Saturday that he, too, is keeping his last name on the back of his jersey.