Nash: Simmons wants to be with teammates in Philadelphia

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons still has not played a game this season. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Nash: Ben Simmons wants to be with teammates on bench during return to Philadelphia

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/8/22

Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons won't suit up during the much-anticipated road showdown with the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night, but the new acquisition will make the trip and cheer on his teammates from the bench. It will be the fourth meeting between the two Eastern Conference squads this season but first since the blockbuster swap centered around Simmons and James Harden at the February trade deadline.

The Australian had his debut for Brooklyn pushed back further recently as the 25-year-old deals with back stiffness. Simmons hasn't played in an NBA game since Game 7 of the Sixers' shocking second-round playoff series loss to the Atlanta Hawks last June.

Nash says that Simmons still isn’t with the Nets in Charlotte but he will be with them in Philly on the bench. “It is what it is. He’s a big boy. He’ll be fine ... he wants to be there on the bench with his teammates.”
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) March 8, 2022

Nash still isn’t sure when Simmons will be able to play again. He said that Simmons won’t be going 5-on-5 in practice immediately whenever he is cleared to return. The Nets next formal practice is scheduled for Saturday.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) March 8, 2022

Is it good for Ben to go back to Philly right now?

Nash: "It's great. He's on our team, he needs to be with his teammates and get the whole Philly thing out of the way a little bit. Maybe it never goes away but the first time it's always nice to kind of deal with it and move on"
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) March 8, 2022

Nash added that Simmons is fully aware of the reception he'll receive from the Philadelphia fans, but he's open to talking with the three-time All-Star about it ahead of time. Per Alex Schiffer of The Athletic, fellow newcomer Andre Drummond expects a "playoff atmosphere" on Thursday, while another new guard, Goran Dragic, said he thinks the atmosphere will be "not pleasant" for Simmons.

In non-Simmons news, Nash told reporters that big man LaMarcus Aldridge would be out for at least the next two games, while rookie guard Cam Thomas was a game-time decision for Tuesday's contest against the Charlotte Hornets. Brooklyn is currently on a four-game losing streak and at 32-33 and under .500 for the first time since Oct. 27 when the Nets were 2-3.

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