76ers' Matisse Thybulle ruled 'ineligible to play' in Toronto
The Philadelphia 76ers travel to take on the Toronto Raptors on Thursday, but they'll do so without guard Matisse Thybulle.
According to multiple reports, Thybulle is out for the matchup with the Raptors, listed on the Sixers injury report as "ineligible to play."
Due to Canada's coronavirus restrictions, many have surmised that Thybulle is unvaccinated, thus leading to his ineligibility for Thursday night. A report from the Philadelphia Inquirer states that only two players on the Sixers were unvaccinated, with Thybulle allegedly being one of them.
"At the start of the season, the indication was that all but two of the Sixers were fully vaccinated," Pompey wrote. "One of those players was Ben Simmons, who has since been vaccinated and traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a package for James Harden and Paul Millsap, who are fully vaccinated. A source confirmed that the second unvaccinated player is Thybulle."
If the postseason started today, the Sixers (49-30) would match up with the Raptors (46-33) in the NBA playoffs' opening round. Being without one of their best defenders in Thybulle for half of the first round wouldn't be ideal for Philadelphia.
Sixers head coach Doc Rivers was defiant when asked last week about vaccination status within the team and how they might impact them come playoff time.
"I don't think about it," Rivers said last week. "I don't think it's fair to guys if all of them have it or not. You'll figure it out eventually. I don't think it's gonna be a concern. No."
In 64 games this season, Thybulle is averaging 5.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in just over 25 minutes per contest.
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