Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

76ers' Tobias Harris tweets support for All-Star Ben Simmons

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Oct 22, 2021 2:11 PM ET

Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers previously said he would welcome All-Star guard Ben Simmons back into the lineup after Simmons requested a trade away from the organization and then skipped multiple weeks of training camp. That, however, was before the club suspended Simmons for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans after the 25-year-old wouldn't take part in a drill during practice, and before Simmons didn't participate in a scheduled individual workout Thursday but received treatment for "back tightness" at the team facility.

The Athletic's Shams Charania later reported Simmons isn't "mentally ready" to play, and Charania reiterated that claim Friday. Philadelphia forward Tobias Harris responded to Charania's tweet:

And we’ll respect his privacy and space during this time. When he’s ready, we will embrace our brother with love and handle our business on the court. That's it, that's all. https://t.co/eardjmQbz8
— Tobias Harris (@tobias31) October 22, 2021

Philadelphia defeated New Orleans 117-97 and will host the Brooklyn Nets for its home opener on Friday night.

76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey told sports radio station 97.5 The Fanatic on Thursday the Simmons situation may not be resolved for "four years," which is the remaining length of the three-time All-Star's contract.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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