PHILADELPHIA — It was only a one-game scare for Ben Simmons in any case.
The Nets star returned in Saturday’s 136-121 win in opposition to the 76ers after lacking Wednesday’s recreation as a consequence of a left knee contusion.
In 14 minutes, Simmons recorded 9 rebounds and 5 assists whereas not making an attempt a shot.
He was additionally booed by 76ers followers for the primary time after checking in with seven minutes left within the first quarter, and people jeers continued each time he touched the ball.
They cheered when Simmons was whistled for a foul or couldn’t join with a teammate on a move, however outdoors of that, his third recreation in Wells Fargo Heart for the reason that February 2022 commerce didn’t function many welcoming — sarcastic or real — responses.
“It’s humorous to me,” Simmons mentioned. “I bought grown males pissed off and yelling at me. … It’s not that deep. It’s sports activities, however it comes with it so I get pleasure from it.”
Simmons was injured Monday when making an attempt to dam a layup within the fourth quarter, getting subbed out after which in the end lacking one other recreation after the cameo adopted 38 straight missed video games.
He referred to as it “fairly annoying,” however preliminary outcomes — and his fast return — offered optimism that he had averted one other harm in a profession stuffed with, and outlined by, them.
“That’s not in any respect one thing that’s going to linger,” Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn mentioned earlier than the sport. “One thing that simply acutely occurred within the recreation [Wednesday], and a pair days of therapy, responded to and hopefully we proceed down the trail of enjoying.”
Within the second quarter, Simmons grabbed a rebound and pushed the ball to Mikal Bridges for a transition shot that drew a foul.
Simmons added tempo off the bench, Vaughn mentioned, and the Nets’ drive-and-kick was “in all probability a few of our greatest of the 12 months” in consequence.
He additionally introduced dimension to their second unit and saved creating open pictures for guards, Cam Thomas added.
Vaughn had expressed his “hopeful expectation” Friday that the Nets would have their star again within the lineup at Wells Fargo Heart, the place Simmons spent the primary 4 wholesome seasons of his profession.
That ended up being an correct timeline, and the Nets flashed their offensive potential with Simmons as facilitator.
“It’s impeccable,” Lonnie Walker IV mentioned of Simmons’ contributions with out taking a shot. “I feel for essentially the most half, folks love to speak the BS so far as him not scoring or no matter it could be.
“However he’s a basketball participant. He is aware of the sport rather well, and he performs the sport the correct manner.”
Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle sprain) missed his third consecutive recreation and continues to be day-to-day. … Dennis Smith Jr. (proper foot soreness) didn’t play after testing his harm earlier than the sport.
Day’Ron Sharpe (hyperextended left knee) has accomplished some courtroom work with one of many Nets’ coaches however with none “further our bodies round him,” Vaughn mentioned.
Spencer Dinwiddie moved into fourth place in crew historical past together with his 1,971st Nets help, in keeping with the crew. He trails Deron Williams (2,078), Kenny Anderson (2,363) and Jason Kidd (4,620).