PHILADELPHIA — The action grew a bit chippy when the Philadelphia 76ers played host to the Brooklyn Nets in what was expected to be a physical game given the juice around the return of Ben Simmons.
Simmons played his first game in Philadelphia since the deadline trade in February, and he had 11 points on 4-for-7 shooting with 11 assists and seven rebounds. He was greeted with heavy boos and a great deal of vitriol from the fans as short-handed Philadelphia knocked off the Nets, 115-106.
Simmons also got into it with Georges Niang. The two were in a dust-up in the second quarter, and Niang was called for a flagrant-1 foul in what seemed to be a nothing type of act.
“I think it was just a regular basketball thing,” said Niang. “We ran into each other. They thought it was more than that and it is what it is. It’s unfortunate, but move on and continue to fight for another day.”
Georges Niang caught a flagrant after this Ben Simmons flop pic.twitter.com/WNxSjhRHQc
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) November 23, 2022
Niang had 16 points, including four 3s. That type of production plus the energy he brings, like in the dust-up with Simmons, always makes for a successful night for him.
“I think the biggest thing for me is just coming in and doing my job,” Niang added. “Being good defensively, moving the ball, making the right play, and being that constant coming off the bench. I think that’s my role and I try to excel in that every night.”
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