NBA: No positive COVID-19 tests at All-Star Game

No players, coaches or support staff involved in Sunday’s All-Star Game tested positive for COVID-19 after a series of tests both before and after the event, the NBA said Monday.

The NBA confirmed in a statement that all participants were tested for COVID-19 three times over the course of the weekend, including one test after the game.

“All players, coaches, and game officials were tested for COVID three times after arriving in Atlanta, including a final test immediately prior to last night’s All-Star Game,” read the statement obtained by ESPN. “Each of those tests returned a negative result, confirming no one on the court for last night’s events was infected.”

Those tested reportedly included Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, two stars of the Philadelphia 76ers who were originally set to play in the game but were disqualified early Sunday after contact tracing indicated that a barber who gave the two men haircuts prior to their trip to Atlanta had tested positive.

“So far, so good as far as their testing,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers told ESPN of his two players. “They feel great. They both obviously wanted to play. We’re disappointed.”

Chris Paul, a participant in the game and the head of the NBA Players’ Association, commended the league’s efforts in his own statement to ESPN.

“Big shoutout to everybody that made this happen, to the players for coming down and participating, playing,” he reportedly said. “There’s always a lot of back-and-forth on these different decisions, but once guys get here, I think they’re grateful for it.”

All-Star Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers, however, made it clear that he didn’t believe the game should have been played.

“It’s just an unfortunate time in the world where our health and safety should be at the front of the helm,” George told The Associated Press. “I personally didn’t agree with the game but, you know, it is what it is.”