Joel Embiid downplays Sixers’ upcoming matchup with Ben Simmons, Nets
PHILADELPHIA–The shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers are working their way through a slew of injuries to begin the 2022-23 season. In a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, they were down three starters as well as a key rotational piece off their bench, so they have a lot of work in order to push through.
The Sixers will now have two days off before they play host to the Brooklyn Nets and they will welcome a familiar face back to the Wells Fargo Center in the form of Ben Simmons. The Sixers sent Simmons to the Nets at the 2022 deadline to acquire James Harden, and Simmons is expected to play in this one.
Joel Embiid, who had a lot to say about Simmons and the situation, and Simmons even admitted that he never had a relationship with Embiid while in Philadelphia. Now, the 3-time All-Star is set to return on Tuesday, but Embiid is downplaying the matchup.
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“It’s another game on the schedule,” said the big fella. “I don’t know those guys. I have nothing against those guys. It’s Brooklyn against Philly. Hopefully, I feel better for that game. It’s the same goal. To try go out and win. Obviously, we’re down a lot of guys right now so we have to find ways.”
With that being said, Embiid understands what’s going to come on Tuesday. The drama, the theatrics, the hype around the matchup, the return of Simmons, and he knows it’s coming. However, it appears that he wants nothing to do with it.
I plan on trying to do whatever is possible to make sure we get the win,” he said. “There’s a lot of history, but there’s really no history. It’s just a regular game. I know everybody is going to make a lot of drama about everything that has happened between the people that were here and the people that were there, but they’re not even playing. It’s going to be fine.”
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