Nets’ Ben Simmons reacts to finally facing Joel Embiid, Sixers fans
PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets made a big trade at the 2022 deadline back in February of the 2021-22 season. The deal sent Ben Simmons to the Nets in a deal that had to happen as both Simmons and the Sixers were headed toward a nasty divorce.
Simmons had made his return to the Wells Fargo Center twice, but he had yet to face Joel Embiid who was his star teammate while with the Sixers. Simmons was hurt in the first visit to Philadelphia and Embiid was hurt in the second matchup.
On Wednesday, they both were healthy and they both went at it. Embiid had 26 points on 6-for-18 shooting with 10 rebounds while Simmons had 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
“Fun,” said Simmons on finally facing Embiid. “I only had to guard him in practice a couple of times, so.”
Embiid swore after the 137-133 win that he wasn’t making the matchup personal, but it certainly felt that way out on the floor. The big fella seemed to take on a different aggression, but at the end of the day, it’s Sixers vs. Nets.
As far as the Sixers fans go, Simmons shrugged off the boos and the jeers he received.
“What did I say last time?” said Simmons. “Last time was probably like an eight? So in the playoffs, if we come here for the playoff it’d be a 10.”
When asked how he would rate the fans on Wednesday, Simmons responded with: “Probably a 7.5?”
The boos for Ben Simmons seemed a bit louder this time around #Sixers pic.twitter.com/MRNcmh4ZHb
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) January 26, 2023
The Simmons vs. Embiid matchup is over. The Sixers fans have let their displeasure toward him be known. Now, the two sides can officially move on and just play basketball. The next matchup between the two teams is set for Feb. 11 in Brooklyn.
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Player grades: Joel Embiid, Sixers defeat Ben Simmons, Nets at home
