Ben Simmons scores first points as a Net in loss to Pels

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Ben Simmons scores first points as a Net

By Sean Keane | Last updated 10/19/22

The last time Ben Simmons attempted a shot in an NBA game, the No. 1 song in the country was "Butter" by BTS. A dark-horse candidate named Herschel Walker was hinting at running for Senate in Georgia. Moviegoers were thrilled by "The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard."

With 6:23 remaining in the third quarter of Game 7 of the Sixers-Hawks series, Ben Simmons dunked the ball. (Two minutes earlier, he'd missed a seven-foot hook shot.)

Early in the Nets' season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans, Simmons dunked it again.

Kyrie Irving got a steal, threw it up to Royce O'Neale, who threw a lob to Simmons under the rim. And Simmons didn't pass off, worried about getting fouled. He simply caught the pass and threw it down for two points, his first as a Brooklyn Net.

In the second quarter, Simmons achieved another milestone: His first missed free throws in 523 days.