Skip to content
Sixers
Link copied to clipboard
Link copied to clipboard

Sixers’ Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid out of NBA All-Star Game due to coming in contact with barber, who tested positive for COVID-19

At 11:51 a.m., the NBA officially ruled out the two Sixer stars.

Sixers center Joel Embiid tries to save the basketball to teammate guard Ben Simmons against the Indiana Pacers during the first quarter on Monday, March 1, 2021 in Philadelphia.
Sixers center Joel Embiid tries to save the basketball to teammate guard Ben Simmons against the Indiana Pacers during the first quarter on Monday, March 1, 2021 in Philadelphia.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

ATLANTA — Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons have been ruled out of Sunday night’s NBA All-Star Game due to contact tracing.

Before arriving in Atlanta, the 76ers standouts were exposed to a Philadelphia-area barber who has tested positive for COVID-19. They have not been in contact with people here due to the league’s health and safety protocols.

» READ MORE: Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and the NBA are doing the best they can. In the age of COVID, stuff happens. | David Murphy

“We don’t know if they’ll be able to play or not, right now,” Doc Rivers said during 11:10 a.m. Sunday Zoom availability. “I would say it’s probably not looking great.

“But I don’t know enough information to actually confirm that.”

Soon after, at 11:51 a.m., the league announced the two will not play.

Embiid was scheduled to start at center for Team Durant, marking his fourth straight All-Star start. Simmons, on Team LeBron, was scheduled to make his third consecutive reserve appearance.

» READ MORE: 2021 NBA All-Star game: Start time, players, how to watch and stream

Embiid is averaging 30.2 points (second in the league, behind Washington’s Bradley Beal), 11.6 rebounds (fifth in league), 1.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals. He’s also scored 31 or more points 15 times this season.

Simmons is averaging 16.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.6 steals (eighth in the NBA).