Slightly affected in the left knee for a few days (the MRI had shown nothing serious), Ben Simmons was finally able to play again, after four missed matches in a row, in Dallas.
His playing time was logically limited and the former Philadelphia player came off the bench to walk the floor for 16 minutes in the Nets’ loss to Luka Doncic and the Mavericks.
“It was the main thing for me: not to feel pain”explains the player at ESPN. “Being able to be on the pitch, running, jumping… I feel good. »
Because as for the performance, it was very modest since Ben Simmons only compiled 2 points at 1/3 in the shoot, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, failing to weigh in defense where Luka Doncic has it often punished. “I’m my harshest critic, so I think I’ve been very bad. I still have to work. »
When taking stock, Jacque Vaughn is less harsh. “I launched it with a group that could play fast, with shooters around it”, says the interim coach. “But, at that time, we didn’t take many shots. But it’s nice to see him back on the pitch. He played with rhythm and that’s a good thing. »
The former All-Star is having a complicated start to the season. In seven matches played, he has won only once (against Toronto) and has still not reached the 10-point mark…
| Ben Simmons | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2017-18 | PHL | 81 | 34 | 54.5 | 0.0 | 56.0 | 1.8 | 6.4 | 8.1 | 8.2 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 15.8 |
| 2018-19 | PHL | 79 | 34 | 56.3 | 0.0 | 60.0 | 2.2 | 6.7 | 8.8 | 7.7 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 16.9 |
| 2019-20 | PHL | 57 | 35 | 58.0 | 28.6 | 62.1 | 2.0 | 5.8 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 3.3 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 0.6 | 16.4 |
| 2020-21 | PHL | 58 | 32 | 55.7 | 30.0 | 61.3 | 1.6 | 5.6 | 7.2 | 6.9 | 3.0 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 14.3 |
| 2022-23 | BRK | 6 | 32 | 44.1 | 0.0 | 46.7 | 1.0 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 7.3 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 6.2 |
| Total | 281 | 34 | 55.8 | 14.3 | 59.6 | 1.9 | 6.2 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 3.4 | 0.7 | 15.7 | |
