The 2021 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta will be without the game’s two stars from the best team in the Eastern Conference. The NBA announced on Sunday morning that Philadelphia 76ers stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons have been ruled out for Sunday night’s All-Star Game in accordance with the NBA’s Health and Safety protocols.
According to the league, Embiid and Simmons have both had contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. Thanks to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, we know that person was a barber in Philadelphia. The league says that all other players and the Philadelphia coaching staff, which is coaching Team Durant, are all able to play because they did not have contact with the same person that Embiid and Simmons did.
The NBA announced that Zion Williamson will replace Embiid as a starter on Team Durant. Sunday night’s All-Star Game is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST in Atlanta and will feature a dunk contest at halftime. Team LeBron is currently a -4.5 point favorite against Team Durant, according to our pals at BetMGM.
