Trust the prayers: Embiid surprises churchgoers near Philly

Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid (21) reacts after scoring during the second half of Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Miami Heat, Thursday, April 19, 2018, in Miami. The 76ers won 128-108. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

SPRINGFIELD, Pa. — Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is shaping up to be the answer to Philly fans’ prayers, and he shocked parishioners by showing up during the middle of some at a small Roman Catholic church this weekend.

St. Kevin Parish in Springfield, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) outside Philadelphia, posted photos on Facebook of the player posing with thrilled churchgoers as he attended their 5:30 p.m. Mass Sunday.

The posting says, “God bless, Joel Embiid and his beautiful spirituality.”

Assistant Coach Billy Lange was also in attendance.

Embiid scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the Sixers’ 106-102 victory against the Heat Saturday.

His team leads the Eastern Conference series, 3-1, and they could close out the series with a win at home Tuesday night.