Tag: Ben Simmons

Nets’ Ben Simmons on improving health: ‘storm doesn’t last forever’

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons said that ‘the storm doesn’t last forever’ when talking about his body feeling better recently.

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons has been through plenty of injuries in the past few seasons as he has dealt with back and knee ailments since his days with the Philadelphia 76ers. In fact, mostly due to his latest back injury, a nerve impingement in his lower left back, Simmons has played just 11 of Brooklyn’s 52 games this campaign.

This season has shown why Simmons is one of the more polarizing players in the NBA. He is clearly one of the more talented players in the league due to his unique combination of size, athleticism, vision, and passing ability that allows him to make an major impact on a game without having to shoot any perimeter shots.

In Saturday’s 123-103 win over the San Antonio Spurs, Simmons dropped 13 points, three rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks in 22 minutes of floor time. The numbers don’t do enough justice for what Simmons did on the court and why he is so pivotal to the Nets’ progression through this rebuild.

Simmons finished the game shooting 6-of-7 from the field, including shooting 2-for-3 on shots from at least eight feet away from the rim. As a testament of what Simmons has been teasing all of these years, he hit a pretty fluid fadeaway jumpshot on Spurs guard Blake Wesley.

Over the past few games, it’s clear that Simmons has been feeling better on a physical level as he is looking more pain-free by the game. He said as much after the game to the media, as written by Brian Lewis of the New York Post:

“Feeling better. It takes time. It’s one of those things where it’s just up and down each day. But, I’m just staying with it. The storm doesn’t last forever. You know, I’m gonna get back to where I was. So, just staying on it. And, you know, each day is a day to get better.”

[lawrence-related id=57358,57355,57352]

A skirmish between Ben Simmons and Jarrett Allen led to a stunning 21-0 run for the Cavs

Ben Simmons had quite a smile during this altercation.

The Nets hosted the Cavaliers at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and tensions were high between Ben Simmons and Jarrett Allen.

Cleveland maintained a slight lead, 59-51, over Brooklyn at the end of the first half. But shortly after the second half started, just seconds into the third quarter, Simmons and Allen became tangled up.

The former No. 1 pick surprisingly shoved the Cleveland big man to the floor. Allen (who used to play for Brooklyn) quickly retaliated by charging at Simmons as his teammates, including Donovan Mitchell, attempted to hold him back.

This is not the first that Allen and Simmons have had beef in the middle of an NBA game.

The two players also saw tempers rise during a game last season as well.

The altercation this season led to both players receiving technical fouls.

But it was Allen who got the last laugh because Cleveland then went on a massive 21-0 run against Brooklyn. The eight-point lead before the skirmish was suddenly a blowout as the Cavs found themselves ahead, 80-51.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

Cleveland (34-16) currently has sole possession of the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. They will host the Nets on March 10 at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

[lawrence-related id=2108070,2055891,2023437]

Nets’ Ben Simmons, Mavs’ Kyrie Irving react to Irving’s return to Brooklyn

After Tuesday’s 119-107 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons reacted to the loss and Kyrie Irving’s return.

NEW YORK — Tuesday marked the return of two players that have a profound impact on their respective teams: Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons and Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving. While Irving’s return was because he was traded away from the Nets last season, Simmons’ return was because of injury maintenance. However, Simmons was able to reflect on the game.

“Collectively, we got to know every game is going to be a battle and a challenge,” Simmons said after putting up nine points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in Tuesday’s 119-107 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Simmons and the Nets had a tough task ahead of them as they were playing the second night of a back-to-back, missing several key rotation players, and had to face Irving.

“It was one of those things where we got to compete every night,” Simmons said in terms of how the Nets have to play on a nightly basis if they want to win games. “We don’t have KD (Kevin Durant, Kyrie (Irving), guys like that now. So, it’s more of a collective effort offensively and defensively, but it starts with defense.”

Speaking of Irving, he put up 36 points and five assists on a very efficient 15-of-24 shooting from the field and 6-of-10 shooting from three-point land. He looked comfortable throughout the entire game and it looked like he relished in the fact that he was playing so well that the boos dissipate towards the end of the contest.

“It felt like I was home tonight,” Irving said after Dallas’ win. “Getting here early, warming up, just getting a good sense of the rims, the atmosphere, what it was going to be like and just mentally preparing myself for the game, just letting the game come to me, and allowing the basketball gods to do the rest.”

With Dallas’ win, the Mavericks have swept the season series with the Nets 2-0. So, the Nets won’t be seeing Dallas again for the rest of the season and also, they gave the last tribute of the Big 3 era. Now, Brooklyn will most likely be worried about the trade deadline on Thursday before facing the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.

[lawrence-related id=57271,57268,57264]

Nets’ Ben Simmons ruled out for Monday’s game against Warriors

The Brooklyn Nets announced on Sunday that Ben Simmons is out for Monday’s game against the Golden State Warriors due to injury maintenance.

The Brooklyn Nets are looking to build on an impressive road victory over the Philadelphia 76ers as they try to climb back in the Eastern Conference playoff race. As Brooklyn attempts to extend their winning streak in their matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Monday, they will be doing so while shorthanded again.

The Nets announced on Sunday that Ben Simmons would miss Monday’s contest against the Warriors due to injury maintenance on his lower left back. While this cautious approach with Simmons makes sense given that he missed 38 straight games from Nov. 8 to Jan. 27 with the nerve impingement in his back, it still leaves some doubt as to whether Simmons is fully healthy at this point.

Brooklyn head coach Jacque Vaughn said prior to Saturday’s 136-121 win at the 76ers that Simmons has fully recovered from the nerve impingement in his lower left back that caused him to miss so much time, but that he would also be available for games moving forward.

It seems that regardless of that statement, the Nets appear to still be cautious with Simmons and that makes sense because of how important he is to the team, even in limited minutes. In some good news for Brooklyn, guard Dennis Smith Jr. is probable for Monday after missing Saturday’s win due to right foot soreness.

In addition to Simmons, forward Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle sprain) and center Day’Ron Sharpe (left knee hyperextension) are out for Monday’s contest. Finney-Smith started running on his ankle at Friday’s practice so he could be returning soon while Sharpe is still slowly working his way back to doing workouts around other people.

[lawrence-related id=57221,57215,57212]

Ben Simmons discusses Tyrese Maxey’s All-Star selection, Paul Reed

Ben Simmons gave his thoughts on young Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey’s All-Star appearance and the play of Paul Reed.

PHILADELPHIA — The matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday brought Ben Simmons back to the City of Brotherly Love. When he called the city home, he was a three-time All-Star, an All-NBA third-team selection and was twice selected to the All-Defensive first team.

Simmons was a star with the Sixers before the marriage went bad in the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals. The lasting memory of Simmons in a Sixers uniform is him passing up a dunk in Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks. He was traded to the Nets at the deadline in 2022.

Despite the end, Simmons still has a great relationship with his former Sixers teammates. Before the Nets defeated the Sixers, 136-121, on Saturday night, Simmons was delighted to discuss Tyrese Maxey after the young guard was selected as an All-Star for the first time in his career.

“He deserves it,” Simmons said of Maxey. “He puts in so much work. I’ve seen him, three years now, and he just doesn’t stop working. He’s got a great IQ, good person, I’m really happy for him. He continues to grow and really lead this team.”

Simmons has made a living off being an elite distributor who makes plays for others. He sees Maxey continuing to take steps forward as a point guard and to improve in his overall pace.

“His pace,” Simmons explained. “He’s so quick as a small guard, but he’s pretty strong. He gets to the rim, shoots the ball really well off the dribble. He just keeps getting better, keep developing his game. He puts a lot of work in. the sky’s the limit for him.”

Maxey recently scored a career-high 51 points in a win over the Utah Jazz on Feb. 1. Simmons and Maxey regularly keep in touch, but he also isn’t going to make a big deal about a now opponent’s big scoring night.

“That’s my guy,” Simmons laughed. “I love him to death, but things like that? I’m a competitor. I want my team to do well. I’m happy for his individual success, but I don’t really keep up like that.”

Then, there’s Paul Reed. While Maxey has taken advantage of the opportunities he has received, one has to hope Reed will do so now that Joel Embiid will miss time due to his meniscus injury.

“He’s like an awkward kind of player,” Simmons said of Reed. “He’s not a typical player you see. He’s got a great feel for the game, great touch. I think the last couple years, he’s developed a lot. Obviously, having Nick Nurse who’s a great coach, too, having somebody like that to continue his development has been great for him, but I love P-Reed. He’s a great dude.”

[lawrence-related id=89963,89958,89954]

Nets’ Ben Simmons reacts to Sixers fans booing him after road win

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons reacts to being booed by the Wells Fargo Center crowd after a win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons made another trip to the Wells Fargo Center as a member of the Nets following his unceremonious exit from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Simmons had a very successful career in Philadelphia. He was a three-time All-Star, an All-NBA third-team selection, and he produced the second-most triple-doubles in Sixers history. He did a great deal for the team while wearing a Sixers uniform.

However, his time in Philadelphia did not end well. Sixers fans are one of the more passionate fan bases in the NBA, and they do not forget what happened. They let Simmons know their displeasure with loud boos and jeers every chance they got.

After a 136-121 win over the Sixers, Simmons reacted to being booed.

Simmons did not attempt a shot in his 14 minutes of playing time, but he was a plus-7. He had nine rebounds and five assists off the bench.

[lawrence-related id=89963,89958,89954]

Nets’ Jacque Vaughn says Ben Simmons is available moving forward

Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn said prior to Saturday’s game at the Philadelphia 76ers that Ben Simmons is available moving forward.

PHILADELPHIA — The Brooklyn Nets have been arguably one of the most talked about teams in the NBA with the trade deadline on Feb. 8. Brooklyn is trying to hang on to their hopes of being in the Eastern Conference playoff picture come April and they should have one of the best players on the court moving forward.

“Yeah, he would have played the other day (Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns) except for the acute injury that happened in the game (Monday against the Utah Jazz),” Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn said of Ben Simmons prior to Saturday’s road matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. Simmons was listed as probable prior to Saturday when he was upgraded to available.

“So, he (Simmons) was fully back from the time away (with the nerve impingement in his lower left back) so all inclination going forward as he’s available for games,” Vaughn said. That has to be good news for everyone in the Nets organization and fanbase given how much time Simmons has missed over his past few seasons with the team due to a variety of injuries.

Addressing the rest of Brooklyn’s injuries, Vaughn said that center Day’Ron Sharpe, out due to a left knee hyperextension, has been doing more court work and has progressed to contact with coaches. Vaughn said that Dorian Finney-Smith, out with a left ankle sprain, is still “day-to-day” and that the team will see if he can go next week.

Dennis Smith Jr., questionable for Saturday due to right foot soreness, will go through his pregame routine to see if he can play. The 76ers will be missing three rotation players, including superstar center Joel Embiid, and could be missing two more rotation pieces with Tobias Harris and Nic Batum listed as questionable.

[lawrence-related id=57194,57191,57188]

Nets’ Ben Simmons (left knee contusion) probable Saturday at 76ers

The Brooklyn Nets announced on Friday that Ben Simmons is probable for Saturday’s game at the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Brooklyn Nets are looking to turn their season around as soon as possible so that they still have a chance of getting back into the Eastern Conference playoff race. As they try to start a new winning streak on Saturday at the Philadelphia 76ers, the Nets are likely to be doing so with their best table-setter for their offense.

The Nets released their initial injury report on Friday and on it, Ben Simmons is listed as probable due to a left knee contusion. This is notable because Simmons missed Wednesday’s 136-120 loss to the Phoenix Suns due to swelling in his knee, per head coach Jacque Vaughn.

When Vaughn addressed the media prior to Wednesday’s loss, he said that Simmons had no structural damage in his knee and seemed confident that he wouldn’t miss much time. A new addition to the report is guard Dennis Smith Jr. who is listed as questionable due to right foot soreness.

Smith has played in 32 of 47 games this season due to a variety of injuries, but he has generally been available for the team this season. Forward Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle sprain) and center Day’Ron Sharpe (left knee hyperextension) are ruled out.

Finney-Smith has missed the last two games with his ankle issue, but he started running at practice on Friday so he could be close to returning. Sharpe has missed the past 10 games with his knee ailment and so far, he has only been able to do individual work.

[lawrence-related id=57185,57177,57168]

Report: Nets’ Ben Simmons expected to be available Saturday at 76ers

Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported Thursday that Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons is expected to be available on Saturday.

The Brooklyn Nets are looking to turn their season around so that they can have the best chance possible of making it back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. While most of the news surrounding the Nets lately pertains to the Feb. 8 trade deadline, they do have some good news on the injury front.

Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported on Thursday that Ben Simmons, who missed Brooklyn’s 136-120 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday due to a left knee contusion, is expected to be available for Saturday’s matchup at the Philadelphia 76ers. Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn said prior to Wednesday’s loss that Simmons’ MRI revealed no structural damage in his knee and that he just had swelling on that knee.

Simmons suffered his knee contusion in Monday’s 147-114 win over the Utah Jazz after falling awkwardly following blocking Talen Horton-Tucker’s shot. Simmons was able to finish the game, but he was subsequently ruled out for Wednesday’s contest due to the swelling.

Simmons, 27, is averaging 7.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game while shooting 58.5% from the field. He has played just seven games this season mostly due to a nerve impingement in his lower left back that he suffered on Nov. 6 against the Milwaukee Bucks.

[lawrence-related id=57165,57162,57159]

Nets’ Jacque Vaughn gives update on Ben Simmons; discusses Kevin Durant

Before Wednesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets coach Jacque Vaughn gave an update on Ben Simmons and spoke on Kevin Durant.

NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets, along with their fanbase, were able to breathe a sigh of relief once Ben Simmons came back for Monday’s 147-114 win over the Utah Jazz. However, with Simmons ruled out for Wednesday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns due to a left knee contusion, it’s understandable if the uneasiness comes back. Simmons seems fine, though.

“He’ll be day-to-day going forward,” Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn said of Simmons prior to Wednesday’s game against the Suns. Simmons was initially listed as probable on Tuesday, but was downgraded to probable to out in a matter of hours on Wednesday. “(He) had an MRI, no structural damage, which was good, but had some swelling in that knee,” Vaughn explained.

While the Nets have been through this kind of scenario more than once when it comes to Simmons missing games due to injury, it appears that this knee issue isn’t expected to be serious enough to sideline Simmons for another extended absence. However, there are others who will be skeptical until he comes back and for good reason.

Wednesday also marked the return of superstar Kevin Durant to Barclays Center for the first time since he was traded to the Suns at last season’s trade deadline. Vaughn had the chance to explain what Durant meant to him and this is what he said:

“For me, my experience with Kevin (Durant), I’ll never forget. And, for me, in the world of negativity, it was a positive experience for me. K made me a better coach. And, there’s one thing that I never, ever doubted is, when I was a part of a staff or was coaching him as a head coach, going into a game, he wanted to win that game. And, that competitiveness and that ability to show up every night is special. He is a special human being. Nothing, but good and fond memories for me. I’m glad I had a chance to coach him. He is an unbelievable player and one of the best to ever suit up.”

[lawrence-related id=57150,57147,57142]