Joel Embiid in Cameroon after brother's death

Sixers rookie center Joel Embiid was not with the team on Thursday night after receiving news that his brother, Arthur, had passed away.

In addition to Embiid, head coach Brett Brown, general manager Sam Hinkie, and forward Luc Mbah a Moute also missed the team's game against the Boston Celtics, instead spending time with the rookie center after he was given the tragic news.

On Friday, Hinkie released the following statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Joel and the Embiid family.

"To learn that you have lost a sibling or a child is unfathomable. We are poorly designed for that kind of loss. To receive that news while 6,000 miles away from your family is more than any of us are equipped to handle alone. Joel is not alone.

"Joel's sister was able to travel to Philadelphia last night and the two of them are currently on their way to Cameroon."

Brown, speaking after practice on Friday, also spoke about wanting to be there for his new player.

"We just tried to make sure that he knows he’s got a team and people that care for [him],” said Brown. “It’s a horrific tragedy for him and his family. For him to be away from his country and be away from his family at a time like this, you just try to help him get through this. And only time will have a chance to heal it a little bit, but it was a long day.

“To see a young man have to go through that and be with him while he has to go through that initial news, there are no words to choose to describe that.” No details have been released regarding the nature of tragedy, and it is not known when Embiid will return to the team.