Embiid, Simmons miss All-star Game because of contact tracing

Philadelphia 76ers teammates Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were ruled out of Sunday’s NBA All-star Game after being flagged by coronavirus contact tracing. The 76ers and NBA learned of the situation with Embiid and Simmons — it stemmed from getting haircuts — on Saturday night and made the decision that neither could play on Sunday morning.

A person with knowledge of the situation said Embiid and Simmons tested negative for COVID-19, but their barber in Philadelphia tested positive. Both saw the barber a day or two before flying to Atlanta, said the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because those details were not released publicly.

Embiid would’ve been a starter for Team Durant, but New Orleans’ Zion Williamson was picked to start in his place. Simmons would’ve been a reserve for Team Lebron.

Rocket Watts scored 21 points and Aaron Henry had 18 to lead Michigan State to a 70-64 victory over No. 2 Michigan on Sunday that seems to seal coach Tom Izzo’s 23rd consecutive NCAA Tournament bid. The Spartans (15-11, 9-11 Big Ten) have won five of their last seven games, beating No. 4 Ohio State, No. 5 Illinois and Michigan (19-3, 14-3).

(At) No. 3 Baylor 88, No. 18 Texas Tech 73: Macio Teague scored 35 points while matching a school record with 10 made 3-pointers, and the Bears finished unbeaten at home for the first time in 73 years. The Big 12 champs (211, 13-1) never trailed. Kyler Edwards had 18 points for Texas Tech (17-9, 9-8).

(At) No. 5 Iowa 77, No. 25 Wisconsin 73: Luka Garza had 21 points and 16 rebounds for the Hawkeyes. Iowa (207, 14-6) has won seven of eight and will be the third seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Micah Potter scored 23 for the Badgers (16-11, 10-10).

(At) No. 9 Houston 67, Memphis 64: Tramon Mark’s long 3-pointer as time expired gave the Cougars a win. Dejon Jarreau had 19 points and eight rebounds, Quentin Grimes added 17 points and eight rebounds, and Justin Gorham had 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Cougars (21-3, 14-3 American). Landers Nolley II scored 14 points to lead Memphis (15-7, 11-4).

No. 20 Loyola Chicago 75, Drake 65: Cameron Krutwig and Braden Norris scored 20 points apiece as Loyola won the Missouri Valley championship. The Ramblers (24-4, 16-2) will make their first NCAA appearance since the 2018 team reached the Final Four. Tremell Murphy and D.J. Wilkins had 20 each for Drake (25-4, 15-3).