NBA All-Star Game: Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons excluded after contact with person who tested positive for COVID-19

Philadelphia 76ers stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were excluded from the 2021 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night after the two players came into contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 in Philadelphia, the league announced on Sunday. With the game just hours away, neither player will be replaced in the event, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The individual who tested positive is said to be a hairdresser used by both Embiid and Simmons. After an inconclusive initial test, the hairdresser was retested, and this result also came back positive.

Embiid and Simmons both traveled to Atlanta on Saturday night and have since remained in quarantine in their respective rooms. At this point, it’s not entirely clear how long they might need to stay in quarantine. Since players from a multitude of markets will be playing in the game, the league does not want to take any chances.

Embiid was selected as a starter for the annual show for the fourth consecutive season, while Simmons was selected as a reserve for the third consecutive year. In the All-Star draft for the game, Embiid was selected to play for Team Durant, while Simmons was selected to play for Team LeBron. Embiid’s place in Team Durant’s starting lineup is Zion Williamson, by Wojnarowski.

On Saturday, Embiid announced that he would donate his All-Star Game winnings to homeless shelters in Philadelphia.

“Many have fallen on such difficult times during the pandemic,” Embiid said in a statement. “I felt it was important to provide more support to individuals and families struggling with homelessness and food insecurity. I am continually grateful for all the support Philadelphia and the fans have given me no only in All-Star but all my years in the league. I will continue to help in any way I can. ”

The fact that Embiid and Simmons were left out of the event is unfortunate for fans who were thrilled to see Philadelphia’s top two players compete against the rest of the league’s best. The Sixers now have to hope their two stars stay healthy and don’t have to miss out on the regular season action when the second half resumes. Philadelphia’s first game after the break will be against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, March 11.