Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the first half against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on February 24, 2022 in New York City. Adam Hunger/Getty Images/AFP
Ben Simmons will return to the site where he toiled for 275 career NBA games, only he’ll be a spectator on the opposing bench.
The Athletic reported Monday that Simmons will travel with his new team, the Brooklyn Nets, but not play Thursday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers bumps into fans during the fourth quarter during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks at Wells Fargo Center on June 20, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP
It would mark Simmons’ first appearance at Wells Fargo Center since June 2021 when he and his then-Sixers teammates lost in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Atlanta Hawks. It all unraveled from there for the three-time All-Star.
The Nets acquired Simmons and others at the Feb. 10 deadline, sending James Harden to the Sixers. Simmons has yet to make his debut with the Nets. The Nets and Simmons are reportedly targeting March 15 at Orlando as a potential return to the court.
Simmons was a three-time All-Star in four seasons with Philadelphia. He averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists.