Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Watch: Nets players get into heated altercation with fan

By Sai Mohan | Last updated Oct 27, 2024 8:42 AM ET

A year after winning just 32 games, the Nets seem destined to be a losing squad again after dropping the first two games of the 2024-25 season. And it appears the frustrations have begun to boil over.

Following their 116-101 loss to Orlando on Friday, several Nets players got into an altercation with a fan in the tunnel of Kia Center, the Magic's home arena. The incident occurred when a Magic fan yelled an expletive at Nets guard Ben Simmons, who immediately confronted him.

"Why didn't you say it [the insult] when I was there, [expletive],” Simmons could be heard asking the fan.

Nets guard Dennis Schroder then asked another person, "Who's talking [expletive] to Ben?" as he approached the unruly fan.

Soon enough, a group of Nets players gathered around the fan, prompting security to step in to keep the situation from escalating. The fan's father apparently got involved as well. The video ended with the arena staff asking the fan and his father to leave the premises.

A video of the incident was shared by Nets beat writer Erik Slater.

Dennis Schroder confronted a fan who was trash talking Ben Simmons after last night’s loss at Orlando. pic.twitter.com/MaKuJYJAH5
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) October 26, 2024

Simmons has been subjected to criticism not just from fans, but even his peers and former players such as Shaquille O'Neal. Some have even implied that the Aussie might be "stealing" money from the Nets for his inability to stay healthy and for producing subpar numbers when does play. He made just 15 appearances for the Nets last year, averaging 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 23.9 minutes per game.

Simmons is well aware of people questioning his commitment to the sport. In a recent interview with New York Post's Brian Lewis, he fired back at his critics.

"People make comments saying I'm robbing. No. When I got that contract, I was playing at a super high level," Simmons said. "Unfortunately, I had injuries. But for somebody to say that, it's disrespectful. [But] people can say what they want to say. They've got to live with it. At the end of the day it all catches up with you."

The LSU alum will earn $40.3 million in the 2024-25 season.

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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