NBA announces no replacements for Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons; Kyrie Irving snubs media session l NBA All-Star 2021

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Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The league’s worst fear for NBA All-Star 2021 may have been realized after Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons got into contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. Simmons and Embiid will be out of the lineup for Team LeBron and Team Durant respectively in the upcoming NBA All-Star 2021, leaving each squad with just 11 players to field in on Sunday.

Normally, the league would assign a replacement for injured or sick players. But the fact that this development came just a few hours before tipoff meant commissioner Adam Silver doesn’t have enough time to find a replacement for the Philadelphia 76ers stars. Team LeBron and Team Durant will have to play without Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons during NBA All-Star 2021.

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The NBA is not replacing Simmons and Embiid on the All-Star rosters. Both teams will have 11 players tonight.

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) March 7, 2021

Though the league will not be replacing either player, Team Durant still needed to name a starter to take Embiid’s spot in the starting lineup. New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has reportedly been tapped to replace Embiid for Team Durant.

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Zion Williamson will replace Joel Embiid as a starter on Team Durant, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 7, 2021

Williamson is playing in his first All-Star Game and though he didn’t get voted in as a starter, he will get his opportunity because of this latest development.

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Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans pulls down a rebound during a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Smoothie King Center. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

NBA All-Star 2021 Update: Kyrie Irving a no-show at media session

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving was voted as a starter for the All-Star Game and will be playing for Team Durant on Sunday. In the latest NBA All-Star 2021 news, it has been reported that Irving missed the accompanying media session that comes with being part of the weekend’s festivities.

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Kyrie Irving was a no-show for his 11:10am/et media session. #NBAAllStar @NBATV @NBAonTNT #BrooklynTogether #Nets #NBA

— Jared Greenberg (@JaredSGreenberg) March 7, 2021

Kyrie Irving missing his date with the media during NBA All-Star 2021 doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone. The seven-time All-Star was set to miss every media session this season before he was coerced into rethinking his plans.

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Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during Media Day at HSS Training Center. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

It is unfortunate that Irving couldn’t be bothered to appear for the NBA All-Star 2021 media session. This would have been an excellent opportunity to hear his thoughts on playing in the league’s midseason classic during a pandemic.

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