Ben Simmons’ homecoming was ruined by the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday evening as Tobias Harris scored 24 factors, serving to his staff defeat the Brooklyn Nets 115-106 regardless of being with out Joel Embiid and James Harden.
Simmons had 11 factors, 11 assists and 7 rebounds to the tune of regular boos. Kyrie Irving scored 23 factors and Kevin Durant had 20 earlier than coach Jacque Vaughn pulled his beginning lineup with 3 minutes left within the recreation.
The anticipated marquee matchup was dimmed with Embiid out with a sprained left foot, Harden nonetheless out with a tendon pressure in his proper foot and beginning guard Tyrese Maxey additionally out with a damaged left foot.
Simmons was heckled, drew a flagrant foul, shushed the gang on a layup, and even Jordan-shrugged after hitting free throws. Of most significance for a participant who has battled psychological well being points, Simmons performed with poise as boos rained on him for the majority of his 32 minutes.
He already had three assists when he went to the free-throw line early within the recreation. Simmons was booed however by no means appeared rattled and sank each baskets. Simmons had a reverse layup minutes later for his first bucket.
Sixers followers had been largely well-behaved – save for a few short-lived “(expletive) Ben Simmons!” chants – and largely saved the four-letter phrases for tape on the again of their outdated No. 25 jerseys.
Simmons and second-year Sixer Georges Niang tussled late within the first half and Niang gave his former teammate a light-weight stiff arm to the physique that earned a technical foul.
Harden couldn’t consider the decision from the bench. Sixers proprietor Josh Harris appeared appalled.
Simmons missed the technical free throw and the gang roared as a lot because it did all recreation. Simmons, although, hit the court docket for a steal and knocked the free ball to Durant for a bucket.
The Sixers nonetheless took a 63-57 lead into the break.
It wasn’t all jeers, all recreation. Simmons did make 76ers followers go wild over him when he missed consecutive free throws within the second half and triggered a free fast-food hen promotion.
Simmons averaged 15.9 factors, 8.1 rebounds and seven.7 assists over 4 seasons with Philadelphia, which drafted him out of LSU, the place he performed just one season. His omnipresent complications, comparable to his refusal to shoot past 15 toes, outweighed his in any other case gifted defensive and playmaking abilities. Simmons’ relationship with the Sixers deteriorated following the 2021 playoffs and he demanded a commerce.
Simmons made a shock return to the Sixers shortly earlier than final season opened however was promptly kicked off form and suspended for one recreation. The punishment didn’t matter; the No. 1 decide of the 2016 draft by no means had any intention of enjoying.
