Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers' center, tested positive for COVID-19 Monday morning according to a source who spoke to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Embiid will not play Monday against the New York Knicks and will be out for at least 10 consecutive days as per NBA safety and health protocols. This would mean that Embiid will miss at least five games and could be able to come back sometime next week. Philadelphia is currently on a six-game road trip, mainly on the West Coast.
Embiid is averaging 21.4 point, 9.4 rebounds, and a career high 4.0 assists in nine games this season for the East-leading 76ers. He was originally scheduled for Monday night's match against the Knicks to get some rest before entering the protocols.
With Embiid out, veteran center Andre Drummond (free agent signed with Philadelphia this summer) will fill his spot in the starting lineup.
Tobias Harris is missing from Philadelphia. Harris entered the NBA's safety and health protocols one week before the 76ers lost to the Portland Trail Blazers. Harris was exercising on the court prior to the game.
The 76ers won that game without Harris or Embiid. Harris was also resting that night. They also won victories against the Chicago Bulls twice and the Detroit Pistons two more times during the week.
This surge helped Philadelphia climb to the top in the Eastern Conference standings heading into tonight's match against New York.
Embiid has been experiencing recurring soreness in his knees since he was injured while playing with Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans' center. He has missed only one game so far -- the game against Portland on Monday.
Philadelphia is still without Ben Simmons. He has not played a single game for Philadelphia as he searches for a trade from the only team that he's ever played for in his five-plus NBA seasons.
