Sixers All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons test negative for COVID-19

ATLANTA — Sixers All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons did not play in Sunday night’s All-Star Game because of coronavirus contact tracing.

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

Simmons and Embiid have both tested negative and were back in the Philadelphia area while the All-Star Game was being played.

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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. The Sixers’ coaching staff guided Team Durant as scheduled. The staff wasn’t exposed to the barber.

Sixers head coach Doc Rivers said he was originally notified of the news late Saturday night. Following Sunday’s All-Star Game, Rivers said there’s a relief that players continue to test negative.

“Now we need some more good news where it’s five days,” he said. “It’s five days [of testing negative and] I think we are in the clear. But I think anything longer, I think they’ll miss some games.”

The coach thinks the five days started on Saturday. If so, they would be available to play against the Bulls on Thursday with five straight days of negative tests. The Sixers’ following game is Friday at the Washington Wizards.

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“We start out on the road with back-to-back games with one practice,” Rivers said. “You know, that’s a challenge in itself, right? Then you know, obviously not having those guys , that’s a lot of points, our two best defenders ...

“But listen, we would show up and try to win both games. I can tell you that.”