The Ben Simmons saga takes yet another turn for the Philadelphia 76ers. After the Sixers suspended him for their season opener, a win over the New Orleans Pelicans, due to conduct detrimental to the team, they returned home to find out nothing has changed.
Simmons did not participate in his scheduled individual workout on Thursday at the team’s facility and he will miss Friday’s home opener with the Brooklyn Nets That part is not too surprising considering what has been reported in the past about him not wanting to face the wrath of the Philadelphia fan base anymore.
However, it does appear that it is more than that. Simmons will not only miss Friday’s game, but he will also miss plenty of more games in the future. He is not mentally ready yet to suit up for the Sixers again after everything that has transpired and he will need more time.
Sources: 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons is currently not mentally ready to play for the team and was receiving treatment on his back today due to ramp up process. He will miss Friday’s home opener vs. Nets and is not expected to play for an undetermined period of time.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 21, 2021
Simmons did express to the team that he is dealing with some back discomfort, but after being cleared by the team’s trainers, he still did not participate. The team was hoping he would go through shootaround on Friday before the Nets game.
The Sixers' medical staff cleared Simmons to participate in the workout after the back treatment, sources tell ESPN. The Sixers had hoped to see Simmons in the workout today and have him go through shoot-around on Friday morning prior to game vs. Nets. https://t.co/WygyAnShmz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 21, 2021
The Sixers were able to have some offensive success without Simmons so they will be looking to find the same formula on Friday against the Nets at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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