Simmons meets with 76ers-recommended mental-health specialist

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Report: All-Star Ben Simmons meets with 76ers-recommended specialist about mental health

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 11/8/21

It was reported last week that the Philadelphia 76ers temporarily stopped fining All-Star guard Ben Simmons for missing games and other team-related activities on Oct. 22 after he told the club he was not "mentally ready" to play following his offseason trade request, but the Sixers resumed fining him ahead of the weekend after he allegedly refused to "cooperate with team physicians on his mental health" and "fulfill other basketball-related obligations."

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted Monday that Simmons has now met with a team-recommended specialist regarding his mental health:

ESPN Sources: After initial reluctance, Sixers All-Star Ben Simmons has met with a team-recommended specialist to discuss mental health concerns. Among other issues, the organization had recently reinstituted fines for Simmons’ failure to agree to those meetings.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 8, 2021

Previously, Simmons had received mental health assistance through the National Basketball Players Association. As has been the case, there remains no timetable for when he may take the court this season:

Simmons is planning to continue meeting with his @NBPA-provided mental health specialist and working out regularly at the team practice facility, sources tell ESPN. Simmons has yet to play for the Sixers this season and there remains no timeline on a possible debut. https://t.co/izsAlnCmj9
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 8, 2021

Reports say the Sixers fined Simmons roughly $2 million before Oct. 22 and also hit him for an additional $360,000 for missing last Thursday's win over the Detroit Pistons. Earlier on Monday, he was linked with a potential trade to the Boston Celtics that would involve Philadelphia receiving All-Star Jaylen Brown in return.

Also on Monday, 76ers star big man Joel Embiid tested positive for COVID-19. According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, Embiid will miss at least five games, starting with the Monday night matchup against the 6-4 New York Knicks.

Philadelphia is 8-2 on the campaign.

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