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Ben Simmons makes long-awaited Nets debut against his former side the Philadelphia 76ers as he finally ends his 470 DAY NBA absence…but the three-time All-star and Brooklyn can’t get a win
- Ben Simmons made his Brooklyn Nets debut Monday night in a preseason game
- The debut came against the Australian’s former team, the Philadelphia 76ers
- Simmons missed the entire 2021-22 season, forcing him to be traded to Brooklyn
- He played 90 minutes and finished with six points, five assists and four rebounds
- But the Brooklyn Nets suffered a 127-108 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers
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Ben Simmons makes his highly anticipated debut for the Brooklyn Nets in a pre-season game against his former side the Philadelphia 76ers Monday night.
After missing out on the entire 2021-22 season, which saw him traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to Brooklyn, Simmons finally went to court for the Nets — against his former side.
The three-time All-Star played 19 minutes in the first half, finishing with six points, five assists, four rebounds and one steal.
Ben Simmons makes his highly anticipated debut for the Brooklyn Nets in a pre-season game against his former side the Philadelphia 76ers Monday night
The three-time All-Star played 19 minutes in the first half and finished with six points
The Australian star was explosive at times, playing multiple positions as he was used as a point guard and center.
With Simmons on the court, the Nets finally had all three of their big stars on the floor at the same time.
Kevin Durant had 13 points for the Nets, Kyrie Irving had nine points and four assists, and Simmons added six points and five assists.
But Simmons and the Nets couldn’t take a win against his former squad as Tyrese Maxey scored 20 points, Julian Champagnie and Furkan Korkmaz finished 15 each to see the Philadelphia 76ers beat Brooklyn 127-108.
The Australian star was explosive at times, being used as a point guard and center
With Simmons on the court, the Nets finally had all three of their big stars on the floor at the same time. Kevin Durant (note) had 13 points and Kyrie Irving (right) had nine points
Monday’s roster game may have featured two of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference with superstars in both squads. There are the questions of Simmons, traded to the Nets for James Harden last season, and whether pairing him with Durant, Irving and other pieces will be enough for the Nets to overshadow last season’s disappointing 44-38 record.
As for the Sixers, having Harden with MVP runner-up Joel Embiid for a full season should cement Philadelphia’s spot as one of the top contenders in the East.
But the full vision of those connections will have to wait.
For the preseason opener, the Sixers played a shell of their regular rotation. Embiid, Harden, newcomers Daniel House Jr. and PJ Tucker took the night off.
Simmons was traded to the Nets last season for James Harden (left), who didn’t play on Monday
Maxey took up the offensive clearance with the absentees as the Sixers took an early lead with 8-for-14 shooting on three-pointers in the first quarter.
By the time halftime arrived, Philadelphia was still in the lead behind Maxey’s 20 points. The three keys for the Nets – Durant, Irving and Simmons – played for 19 minutes and their night was over.
Midway through the third quarter, both teams had moved up to their reserves in what turned out to be a close game, until the Sixers withdrew, beating the Nets 36-24 in the third.