Ben Simmons and 76ers in COVID quarantine after Nets loss

Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers’ day has gone from bad to worse after being force to quarantine following a horror loss.

The 76ers had no answers for the superstar-less Nets.

Fresh off a shock 122-109 loss to the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving-less Brooklyn Nets, the Philadelphia 76ers have been forced into quarantine after shooter Seth Curry tested positive for COVID-19.

Luckily for both sides Curry was already ruled out of the game with an ankle injury and missed the game.

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ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Curry immediately went to an isolation room and left the arena separately to the team.

He did spend the first quarter on the bench however and the game against the Nets was also the 76ers’ third in four days.

But his teammates have been forced into quarantine in New York after The Athletics’ Shams Charania revealed the team had learned of Curry’s positive test as the game went on and will stay in New York to undergo contact tracing.

Seth Curry has been good since joining the Sixers.

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne revealed that Joel Embiid, who sat next to Curry on the bench, would quarantine with his family until he’s sure he didn’t catch the virus.

Curry was wearing a mask while he was on the bench, in accordance with NBA health and safety protocols. He wasn’t playing in the game due to left ankle soreness.

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 8, 2021

It could cause havoc around the league if Sixers players are required to quarantine and miss games due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols around COVID-19.

The Nets and the Wizards, who the 76ers played yesterday, could also be forced to quarantine and contract trace, which could throw the NBA schedule into chaos.

It continued the worst day the team has had this season after capitulating to a 13-point loss to the Nets without their superstars.

In one of the weirdest absences of the season so far, Nets coach Steve Nash had no idea why Irving wasn’t available or where he was.

But according to Heavy.com senior writer Brandon Robinson, Irving said via a close source that “I just didn’t want to play” following the events in the Washington.

Translation: He took a personal day.

Mental health is important.

Irving took a personal day after the death of Kobe Bryant last year. https://t.co/KpSjpzG1Z5

— 👑📍Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson, M.A. (@ScoopB) January 8, 2021

Entering the game 7-1 on the season, the 76ers’ problems of old appeared to have resurfaced with Embiid and Simmons combining for 11 from 27 from the floor.

But it was an improvement on the first half when the pair shot four from 15 combined with the Sixers down by 14 at the break.

NBA legend Charles Barkley labelled the performance “embarrassing”.

So disappointed in the Sixers tonight. So amazed by Caris LeVert and Joe Harris and Jarrett Allen and the Nets WITHOUT KYRIE OR KD.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 8, 2021

Embiid finished with 20 points and 12 boards, with Shake Milton leading the way for Philly with 24 points.

Simmons had a horrible night, with 11 points, four rebounds and two assists.

A bad night got much worse for Simmons and Philadelphia.

76ers coach Doc Rivers was scathing in his assessment of this game.

“We didn’t come to play is what I saw,” Rivers said. “It was just one of those games. It was disappointing.”

Asked what his focus will be from here, Rivers replied: “Nothing really, other than being awake.”

Joe Harris scored 28 points, while Caris LaVert hit 22 points with 10 assists to lead the Nets to the win.

Despite the 7-1 start before the game being the Sixers’ best record over eight games since 2000-01, fans were quick to turn on Philly.

I keep hearing about terrific Sixers defense, and they give up 135 to #Wizards on Wednesday and tonight 122 to #Nets. Quick math 257pts in 2 nights. And Nets were without 2 best players. Too early to get carried away. And Simmons same player.

— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) January 8, 2021

Why can't Sixers players properly throw a pass to Ben Simmons? That's, like, three or four garbage turnovers. Weird.

— J.E. Skeets (@jeskeets) January 8, 2021

76ers really about to lose to a Nets’ lineup that isn’t playing KD and Kyrie while having both Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid playing tonight, yikes

— max (@MaxWildstein) January 8, 2021

Ben Simmons can’t shoot. An nba player who can’t shoot. But he acts like he’s a hall of famer. It’s hilarious. @Franc0_Castr0

— Roberto Castro (@cicioCASTRO) January 8, 2021