Some 76ers suspected Ben Simmons faked potential Covid exposure to avoid playing G7 vs Hawks

According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, some Philadephia 76ers members had the suspect that Ben Simmons faked a potential COVID-19 exposure to avoid playing the “infamous” (for the team) Game 7 vs the Atlanta Hawks.

Simmons was being held out of the team’s shootaround due to a possible exposure to a team masseuse, who’d returned an inconclusive COVID-19 test. Several players were questioned about whether they’d seen her that morning, but only Simmons said that he had; according to multiple sources, however, many within the team questioned whether Simmons had actually seen the masseuse — or was just trying to get out of playing as he battled the basketball version of the “yips”.

Simmons went on playing after a negative COVID-19 test before the game.