Philadelphia 76ers standouts Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons didn't play in the NBA All-Star Game because of a coronavirus contact tracing issue. Embiid would have been a starter for Team Durant, coached by 76ers coach Doc Rivers. Simmons was to have been a reserve for Team LeBron. The league announced the players were ruled out about eight hours before tipoff. New Orleans’ Zion Williamson started in Embiid’s place. A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that the contact was with a barber who is regularly tested for COVID-19 and often works with Embiid and Simmons.
Matt Slocum/AP
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid dunk s the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
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