Sixers’ Joel Embiid Enters Health And Safety Protocols After Positive Test

All-Star center Joel Embiid has become the fourth member of the 76ers to enter the NBA’s health and safety protocols this season, as relayed by Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Embiid has tested positive for the coronavirus, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, and will miss multiple games. He joins Philadelphia teammates Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle and Isaiah Joe in the protocols.

Per Charania, Embiid will miss at least 10 days, “unless he returns two negative COVID-19 results in 24 hours moving forward.” His positive test came back Monday morning, Wojnarowski reported.

The 76ers have also been missing Danny Green (hamstring), and of course, Ben Simmons, who is reportedly seeking a trade. Embiid has also been suffering from a achy right knee, managing to play through it to this point.

But they have been able to remain a contender, largely because of the play of Embiid. Despite all the missing bodies, the Sixers (8-2) have rushed to the Eastern Conference’s best record.

Minus Embiid, Sixers coach Doc Rivers is likely to turn to offseason signee Andre Drummond as the starting center.

Embiid is a four-time All-Star and leads the 76ers with averages of 21.4 points and 9.4 rebounds in nine appearances this season.