All-Star Game sans two Sixers

Philadelphia 76ers teammates Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were ruled out of Sunday night’s NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta after being flagged by coronavirus contact tracing, prompting some players to question again why the exhibition was being played during a pandemic. The 76ers and the NBA learned of the situation with Embiid and Simmons — which stemmed from getting haircuts — on Saturday night, then made the decision Sunday morning that neither could play about nine hours before the scheduled tipoff. The game between Team Durant and Team LeBron went forward as scheduled but was not complete at deadline for today’s print edition. For coverage of the game, please visit timesfreepress.com. “It’s just an unfortunate time in the world where our health and safety should be at the front of the helm,” said Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers, an All-Star selection for the seventh time. “I personally didn’t agree with the game, but you know, it is what it is.” A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Embiid and Simmons have both tested negative for COVID19, but that their barber has tested positive for it. Both players saw the barber a day or two before flying to Atlanta, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Sunday because those details were not released publicly.

› HOUSTON — Tramon Mark hit a long 3-pointer as time expired to give the ninth-ranked Houston Cougars a 67-64 win over Memphis in American Athletic Conference basketball Sunday. After Memphis tied it with 1.7 seconds left, Marcus Sasser threw the ball to midcourt, where Mark picked it up. He dribbled by two Memphis defenders and launched a 35-footer that went off the backboard and in, then was mobbed by teammates in a hectic scene after running to the opposite basket after the win. DeJon Jarreau had 19 points and eight rebounds, Quentin Grimes added 17 and eight and Justin Gorham had 10 and 12 for the Cougars (21-3, 14-3), who won their fourth straight game. Mark finished with eight points and was just 3-for-12 from the field. Landers Nolley II scored 14 points and Lester Quinones and DeAndre Williams each added 11 for Memphis (15-7, 11-4), which had won six straight games but could have used a big victory to help its case for an NCAA tournament berth. The Tigers are seeded third for the AAC tournament this week and will likely need to win it to make the 68-team NCAA bracket, although reaching the title game might earn them consideration for an at-large invitation.

FOOTBALL

› MARTIN, Tenn. — John Bachus threw two of his three touchdown passes to tight end Rodney Williams, John Ford returned an interception 50 yards for a score, and the University of Tennessee at Martin never trailed in its 28-15 win over Eastern Illinois on Sunday. Bachus was 24-of-36 passing for 259 yards — he was picked off once — and Williams finished with eight catches for 95 yards. The 6-foot4, 235-pound redshirt senior went into the game with career totals of 41 catches for 473 yards and no touchdowns. Bachus connected with Williams for a 21-yard touchdown to open the scoring late in the first quarter, then hit Donnell Williams for a 16-yard touchdown with 9:07 left in the second. Two plays from scrimmage later, Ford’s interception gave the Skyhawks (1-1, 1-1 Ohio Valley Conference) a 21-0 lead. Harry Woodbery passed for 279 yards and two touchdowns for Eastern Illinois (0-2, 0-2). UTM had 12 tackles for loss and limited the Panthers to 59 rushing yards on 25 attempts.

› NASHVILLE — Zion Webb passed for 280 yards and three touchdowns as Jacksonville State extended its winning streak to five games by defeating Tennessee State 38-16 on Sunday. The Gamecocks (5-1, 2-0 OVC), who are ranked No. 10 in the nation among Football Championship Subdivision teams, started their streak with three wins in October. The Alabama program opened the game with consecutive touchdowns in the first quarter and ended it with three straight scores in the fourth, dominating the Tigers with 452 yards of total offense to 225. Webb had a touchdown pass of 54 yards to Uriah West, who also ran 5 yards for the Gamecocks’ first score. For Tennessee State (0-2, 0-2), Isaiah Green was 15-of-31 passing for 145 yards with a 58-yard touchdown pass to Cam Wyche.