Ben Simmons is BOOED on his latest hostile return to Philadelphia two years after being traded to Brooklyn… before the Nets star gets revenge on his old team in 136-121 win over 76ers
- Simmons was traded by the Sixers to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2022
- But the feeling of animosity for the 27-year-old still burns strong in Philly
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Ben Simmons received another hostile reception upon his latest return to Philadelphia, but it was the former 76ers star who had the last laugh.
It’s been almost two years since Simmons was traded by the Sixers to the Brooklyn Nets, a move that ended his six-year stay at Wells Fargo Center.
Despite the time that has now passed, the feeling of animosity for the 27-year-old clearly remains strong in Philly, with Sixers fans showering their former player with boos as he returned to the Nets for a second time on Saturday night.
Every time Simmons touched the ball the home crowd showed their displeasure with loud cheers from the stands, but in the end he got revenge on his old team.
The Australian star and Brooklyn walked away with what turned out to be a very comfortable victory, despite Simmons himself not scoring.
Ben Simmons was once again met with hostility upon his latest return to Philadelphia
But the Brooklyn Nets star had the last laugh after helping his team claim a 136-121 victory
Cam Thomas scored 40 points and Mikal Bridges had 23 as the Nets posted a 136-121 win over the short-handed 76ers, who deeply felt the absence of star man Joel Embiid.
The hosts were once again without Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP who missed his second game after suffering a left meniscus injury Tuesday night in Golden State. Philadelphia is 4-10 in the 14 games without Embiid this season.
Lonnie Walker IV also added 20 points to help Brooklyn win for the third time in four games after losing 10 of 12.
Although he didn’t score, Simmons did have nine rebounds and five assists in his 14 minutes for the Nets.
Two nights after scoring a career-high 51 points in a win at Utah, Tyrese Maxey had 23 points for Philadelphia on 8-for-23 shooting. Terquavion Smith had 17 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. 16 as the 76ers lost for the fifth time in six games.
In addition to Embiid, the 76ers were without starters Tobias Harris (illness) and Nicolas Batum (left hamstring tightness), along with key reserves DeAnthony Melton (back) and Robert Covington (left knee meniscus injury).
Simmons had nine rebounds and five assists in 14 minutes for the Nets against his former team
The Nets were able to take advantage of the short-handed lineup with sharp ball movement that troubled Philadelphia’s reserves.
Nic Claxton took up a lot of space on the inside for Brooklyn and grabbed fifteen rebounds and twelve points.
The Nets were 20 for 51 from three-point range, led by 29 points and defeated Philadelphia 53-44.