Some 76ers suspected Ben Simmons faked potential Covid exposure to avoid playing G7 vs Hawks
Simmons missed the morning shootaround and played after a negative Covid test
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.