Tyrese Maxey, Georges Niang clear COVID-19 protocol; Joel Embiid misses shootaround

WASHINGTON — Tyrese Maxey and Georges Niang were both on hand at the 76ers’ shootaround Sunday morning after clearing the COVID-19 health and safety protocol.

Meanwhile, Joel Embiid missed the shootaround because of being under the weather. The four-time All-Star is scheduled to compete in Sunday night’s game against the Washington Wizards at the Capital One Arena.

Niang, who missed the past four games with COVID, was greeted with cheers while walking onto the court at the John R. Thompson Jr. Intercollegiate Athletic Center.

It’s been a tough Holiday Weekend for Maxey.

The Sixers point guard’s home suffered significant fire damage on Christmas Eve. Then the team revealed on Christmas that Maxey is in the COVID-19 health and safety protocols and is questionable for Sunday’s 6 p.m. game. But he was there at shootaround with his teammates.

The second-year veteran scored 17 points in Thursday’s loss to the Atlanta Hawks, which came after he missed the previous two games with a left quadriceps contusion. Maxey is averaging 17.0 points and a team-best 4.6 assists.

» READ MORE: Home of 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey catches fire, but the player and his family are OK

Niang was also listed as questionable before clearing protocol. However, Andre Drummond, Shake Milton, and Danny Green remain in protocol. Ben Simmons remains sidelined while requesting a trade.

Wizards starters Bradley Beal and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are in protocol. Thomas Bryant remains sidelined while he’s recovering from an left ACL injury. Meanwhile, Rui Hachimura is questionable while still trying to get in game shape.

The Sixers (16-16) swept last season’s three regular-season meetings and beat the Wizards (17-15) in five games in an opening-round playoff series.