NBA Rules Out Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons from Tonight’s All-Star Game Due to Contact Tracing
The NBA has walked the line of catastrophe.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, 76ers All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons came in contact with a barber in the Philadelphia area who tested positive for COVID-19. Fortunately, it appears neither were in contact with any other players or coaches also in Atlanta for tonight’s festivities. Both also traveled to Atlanta on private planes, per Woj’s report, and have remained in quarantine since their arrival last night.
In other words, it appears the NBA has avoided an utter disaster (for now), but that has not made following the breaking news this morning any easier, especially after so many doubted whether or not hosting an All-Star Game was a good idea in the first place.
Additional test has returned positive for the coronavirus on barber in contact with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, sources tell ESPN. League must make decision still, but it is highly unlikely Embiid and Simmons will be cleared to play today.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 7, 2021
NBA plans to have Embiid and Simmons do media sessions prior to game from their rooms, source said. Contact tracing could ultimately keep them out of the game. https://t.co/Ti5UpnmJvM
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 7, 2021
The NBA is ruling out Embiid and Simmons for All-Star Game, source tells ESPN. https://t.co/PSiQ8xiOMo
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 7, 2021
The status of both players moving forward will also be a must-follow for the Chicago Bulls, who play the 76ers in their game back from the All-Star break on March 11th.
Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are out of the All-Star game due to contact tracing. In his just concluded media session, 76ers Doc Rivers didn’t yet know much about what this means for their future status. Bulls open 2nd half vs. 76ers on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/pbFVCiAiZD
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 7, 2021
