Since his arrival with the Brooklyn Nets, Ben Simmons has faced challenges with injuries and subpar performances, drawing criticism from NBA followers. In contrast, during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, he formed an impressive duo with Joel Embiid.
Their collaboration, however, unraveled painfully after a disappointing playoff elimination at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks. The fallout received extensive media coverage. Since that split, Embiid has remained a key figure for the 76ers, while Simmons aims to rejuvenate his career in Brooklyn.
Despite the tumultuous end to their partnership, it seems Simmons is eager to move past previous grievances. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Simmons took steps towards healing their relationship last summer by reaching out to Embiid and fellow former teammates. Ben Simmons reportedly reached out to Joel Embiid last summer in an effort to repair their relationship, per @ramonashelburne “…so much has gone wrong for Simmons and his former team in the years they’ve been apart that Simmons’ presence back in Philadelphia barely registered… pic.twitter.com/zPJGGHfE2H — NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 27, 2024
“So much has gone wrong for Simmons and his former team in the years they’ve been apart that Simmons’ presence back in Philadelphia barely registered this time. He’d even reached out to Embiid and others last summer, league sources said, hoping to mend fences,” Shelbourne reported.
Ben Simmons Excels as Nets Achieve Crucial Victory Against Suns
The Brooklyn Nets have faced challenges at the start of this season, but their recent win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night provided a beacon of hope. The Nets earned a 127-117 triumph in Arizona, thanks in large part to a revitalized performance from Ben Simmons.
Simmons showcased one of his strongest outings in the season, contributing 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists while successfully making 7 of his 8 shot attempts. This marked a significant moment for Simmons, whose prior season-high was just 10 points. In his fourth season with the Nets, he has struggled to regain his former All-Star prowess, averaging a mere 5.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game so far this season.
This victory improved the Nets’ record to 9-10, delivering essential momentum as they strive to ascend in the Eastern Conference rankings. Their next test comes on Friday when they face the Orlando Magic at home.
Image Source: Ben Simmons @ Instagram
