Philadelphia Nets’ Ben Simmons gets booed by 76ers fans in their first game back

This is a question that we might never be able to answer: Who was more excited about Ben Simmons’ return to Philadelphia? Or the player? Or The 76ers fans? 

The end of his time in Philly was not the best, as Simmons infamously passed up an easy dunk during the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks in 2021 that proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. This was his last ever wearing their uniform before he was traded. Brooklyn NetsHe traveled down I-95 on Tuesday night to face the 76ers. 

Simmons’ time in Brooklyn has not been the best either. After missing the NBA floor due to a back injury, Simmons has been slowly getting back to the NBA. Philadelphia fans, as he is well aware, are quite a different breed. You either have to love them or they will hate you. 

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Ben Simmons (10th Brooklyn Nets) reacts during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, on November 22, 2022.
(Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Simmons was on the Nets last season, but he was injured and unable to play. Simmons was unable to play in the game against the team that drafted him as the first overall pick in 2016. 

Simmons was seen taking selfies with the crowd, signing autographs, and talking to a variety of Nets and Sixers fans before the game. That was just one minority. During team introductions, the majority, louder than others, could hear it. 

When Simmons’ name was called by the public address announcer, a shower of boos went sent his way as he dapped up his teammates. 

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It might have been the fuel Simmons required. Let’s go back to the last game against the Memphis GrizzliesSimmons scored 22 points, going 11-of-13 from field. He also had eight rebounds, five assists, and one steal. This was Simmons’ third consecutive game with double-digit scoring. 

After the game, Ben Simmons, #10, Brooklyn Nets and Tobias Harris (#12 Philadelphia 76ers), took place at the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia.
(Jesse D.Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Simmons again did it on the Philly hardwood. He scored 11 points and had 11 assists, resulting in a double-double. Simmons also grabbed seven rebounds. He missed his first two free throws and received more boos. However, he did hit both of them. Simmons then shrugged off the crowd, giving a shrug to the crowd. 

Brooklyn won the game 115-106, but it was the 76ers who prevailed at the end. 

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With Joel Embiid out, Tobias Harris was the team’s leading scorer with 24 points on 10-for-21 from the floor with six rebounds and three assists, while De’Anthony Melton had 22 points, including six three-pointers made. 

Kyrie Irving, the Nets’ player, was reinstated this Sunday after an eight-game suspension. He scored a team-high 23 point total, but only 2-of-8 at three-point land. He was able to hit 10-of-18 shots and had two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Kevin Durant finished the game with 20 points and five boards, as well as five assists. 

Ben Simmons (#10 Brooklyn Nets) stands for the National Anthem during the game against Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 22, 2022, at the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia.
(Jesse D.Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

When Brooklyn returns to City of Brotherly Love on January 25, Simmons will give Philly another taste of Simmons’s nets. 

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Simmons isn’t fond of their Sixers uniform, which was once their pride and joy.