NBA All-Star 2021: Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons ruled out
The personal barber of both players has tested positive for covid-19 in Philadelphia. Therefore, according to protocols, both players have to remain in quarantine.
Philadelphia 76ers stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons have been ruled ineligible for Sunday's NBA All-Star Game because of covid-19 contact tracing protocols, according to multiple reports.
NBA All-Star game 2021: Embiid and Simmons out
Embiid and Simmons reportedly both were exposed to a barber in Philadelphia who is believed to have tested positive for the coronavirus, ESPN reported. 76ers coach Doc Rivers initially said "it's not looking great" for Embiid and Simmons to be able to play. This was later confirmed to be the case.
Both players traveled to Atlanta, the site of the All-Star Game, after their appointments with the barber. They underwent further testing on Sunday, and Rivers said he was not sure how long both players might have to stay in Atlanta.
According to early reports, the Pelicans' Zion Williamson will replace Embiid as a starter.
Fallen All-Stars
Embiid, 26, is averaging 30.2 points and 11.6 rebounds in 30 games this season. He earned an All-Star selection for the fourth season in a row.
The 24-year-old Simmons is averaging 16.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists in 31 games. This is his third All-Star selection.
Embiid was set to start for Team Durant on Sunday night, while Simmons was pegged as a reserve for Team LeBron.