Both Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons could be ineligible to participate in Sunday's All-Star Game.
Both Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons could be ineligible to participate in Sunday's All-Star Game due to contract tracing from exposure to a likely positive COVID-19 test, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
According to The Athletic, the exposure was to Embiid and Simmons's personal barbers who tested positive and is awaiting another test result. The exposure occurred before the two players arrived in Atlanta. According to The Athletic, both players have not been in contact with other people in Atlanta due to league’s quarantine.
76ers head coach Doc Rivers, who is also coaching Team Durant, said Sunday morning, "We're still waiting for the NBA to tell us what the next steps are," per the New York Times' Marc Stein, but added that the prospect of them playing was "not looking great."
For this weekend, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association both established additional measures to supplement the current health and safety protocols. Both Embiid and Simmons traveled via private transportation to Atlanta and have continued to test daily.
While in Atlanta, players and a select few guests were required to remain at their designated hotel, except to participate in All-Star activities.
Participating players, their guests and league personnel were also required to follow a league-designated testing program that has involved at least daily PCR testing and additional testing on Sunday.
Simmons is averaging 16.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game and was set to play on Team LeBron this Sunday night.
Embiid has emerged as one of the front-runners for the MVP award and is averaging 30.2 points and 11.6 rebounds per game on 52.1% from the field. He is set to play on Team Durant on Sunday.
Tipoff for the All-Star Game is set for 8 p.m. ET.