The Philadelphia 76ers announced on Tuesday that recently returned guard Ben Simmons has been suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team. Simmons will miss the Sixers’ season opener Wednesday on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Simmons surprised the Sixers by ending his holdout, and returned to the team as a participant in practice on Sunday after he cleared the COVID-19 protocol. The team had been preparing to play without Simmons and has now had to adjust for his sudden return, but Simmons’ teammates have been publicly supportive since he’s been back with the team. Doc Rivers had not divulged whether Simmons was expected to play in the season opener prior to his suspension, but said the team was taking its time working Simmons back into the fold.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday that Rivers threw Simmons out of practice.
Sixers coach Doc Rivers threw Ben Simmons out of practice today and the suspension came shortly thereafter, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 19, 2021
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