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76ers avoid COVID-19 outbreak, cleared to play Pistons

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 11/4/21

The Philadelphia 76ers improved to 6-2 on the young NBA season via Wednesday's 103-98 win over the Chicago Bulls but weren't sure if they would be able to take the court for Thursday's matchup at the 1-6 Detroit Pistons.

As Keith Pompey noted for The Philadelphia Inquirer, forward Tobias Harris recently tested positive for COVID-19 and is symptomatic, and guard Isaiah Joe entered the league's coronavirus health and safety protocols earlier on Thursday. That forced the entire team to be tested to determine if Philadelphia could play Thursday night.

Per Rich Hofmann of The Athletic, 76ers coach Doc Rivers confirmed his team dodged what could've quickly become a worrisome situation:

Doc Rivers said the rest of the Sixers players tested negative on their COVID tests. They have ten players available if Joel Embiid and Furkan Korkmaz (who are both questionable) play.
— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) November 4, 2021

COVID-19 has spread throughout members of the Pittsburgh Penguins since the start of the NHL season. Head coach Mike Sullivan and superstar captain Sidney Crosby are among members of the Penguins not available for Thursday's game against the rival Philadelphia Flyers because of coronavirus-related protocols.

With fully vaccinated athletes testing positive and becoming ill due to COVID-19, it seems as if it's a matter of when, not if, a game is postponed due to the virus this fall or winter.

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