Watch: Ben Simmons sinks two free throws and shrugs at the Philly crowd

Early in the Nets' game against the 76ers, his first time playing in Philadelphia since sitting out the 2021-22 season and forcing a trade to Brooklyn, Simmons got fouled by Tobias Harris. Simmons is shooting 50 percent from the charity stripe this season, but he calmly drained two freebies as boos rained down, then he shrugged at the Philly crowd.

They got a chance to jeer him on the next possession when Simmons shuffled his feet in the lane and got called for traveling. Of course, it's not as satisfying as booing a missed free throw - the knock on Simmons in Philadelphia was never that he traveled too much in big games, after all.

Brooklyn started the game on a 10-4 run, including those free throws, but the undermanned 76ers, playing without Joel Embiid and James Harden, came back to win the quarter, 33-26. Former Sixer Seth Curry also made two free throws, but the crowd doesn't seem to hate him. Curry got booed, but just the regular amount from a visiting player in Philadelphia.

In fact, the Philly crowd seemed to delight in cheering Simmons' misses and turnovers more than they were excited to boo Simmons on this block-and-dunk combination in the second quarter.

Before the game, Simmons was matter-of-fact about facing the vicious fans. He told TNT's Stephanie Reddy that when he played there, "They booed me then. I've experienced it all." Reddy agreed with Stan Van Gundy that the boos were actually underwhelming, given all the buildup to his return.

Simmons finished the first half with nine points and five assists, two steals and two turnovers, as Philadelphia leads 63-57.