Embiid, Simmons to miss All-Star Game due to COVID exposure

Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are last-minute scratches after they came into close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons to miss All-Star Game due to COVID-19 exposure

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 3/7/21

Team Durant and Team LeBron will be a little shorthanded for Sunday's NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta.

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Philadelphia 76ers stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons will miss the All-Star Game after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

76ers All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons have officially been ruled out of the All-Star Game due to contact tracing.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 7, 2021

Both players had been in quarantine since arriving in Atlanta and did not had any contact with anyone else, Charania adds.

Embiid had been picked by Kevin Durant and is a starter for "Team Durant," while LeBron James selected Simmons. It's the fourth All-Star selection for Embiid and third for Simmons.

The NBA's decision to host the All-Star Game amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was slammed by players around the league. With two players now out for the festivities, those who complained before the event will likely make their displeasure known when it's over.

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