76ers guard Matisse Thybulle explains why he’s unvaccinated

Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle spoke after Sunday’s win over the Detroit Pistons.

After Sixers coach Doc Rivers reiterated Thybulle would be ineligible for parts of the team’s upcoming playoff series with the Toronto Raptors because he has not received a full COVID-19 vaccination and Canada has strict COVID rules.

The guard said, however, that he did not consider himself “anti-vax.”

“This was a decision I made a long time ago. I was raised in a holistic household, anti-vax is not a term that was ever used. We grew up with Chinese medicine and naturopathic doctors.”

“I didn’t see any benefits outweighing what I could seek from alternative medicine,” he added after the 118-106 win.

“I made this choice and thought I could keep it to myself, I could keep it quiet,” Thybulle said.

The Australian expressed disappointment in being ruled ineligible for Game 3 and Game 4 at ScotiaBank Arena across the border.

“I mean, it sucks. It was not the outcome that I wanted. It’s always hard not to be available, whether you’re injured or whatnot. It’s hard to watch your guys go out there and fight without you but I believe in them without me just as much as I believe in them with me. I think we have as good of a chance as any to make a run to the championship, and I trust these guys to take care of it when I can’t be there on the court.”

Thybulle scored 7, grabbed 3 rebounds and blocked 2 shots in 35 minutes for Philly, the 4th seed in the East.