76ers Stars To Miss All-Star Game After Contact With Barber

ATLANTA, GA — Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, the two top stars on the team with the best record in the NBA's Eastern Conference, will miss Sunday's All-Star game festivities after having been in contact with their barber who has since tested positive for the coronavirus, according to reports.

The NBA confirmed the Philadelphia 76ers pair will miss the game due to contact with someone who tested positive in a statement issued by the league. No other players will be ruled out, however, because they were not exposed to the person who tested positive in Philadelphia.

Embiid had been on "Team Durant" for the mid-season exhibition game, while Simmons was to play against his 76ers teammate for "Team LeBron" as NBA superstars Kevin Durant and LeBron James are serving as captains for the game scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

A skills challenge, 3-point contest and slam dunk competition are all planned before the game. Normally held on different nights, all NBA All-Star Game activities will be held on one day this year due to the virus.

Embiid is an NBA MVP candidate this season, ranking second in points per game across the league, according to Bleacher Report. The 76ers' 24-12 record is the best in the Eastern Conference.

It's not the first time contact with a barber who tested positive has put professional athletes on virus-restrictive lists ahead of a big game. Last month, Kansas City Chiefs players Demarcus Robinson and Daniel Kilgore were put on the COVID-19 reserve list ahead of the Super Bowl due to contact with their barber.