Ben Simmons makes first Brooklyn Nets look as long-awaited NBA return attracts nearer

Ben Simmons has proven glimpses of brilliance and a few acquainted struggles in opposition to his former NBA crew Philadelphia in his first outing for Brooklyn.

The Nets misplaced their first of three preseason video games 127-108 to the 76ers, who rested stars Joel Embiid and James Harden on Tuesday (AEST).

Australian Simmons began alongside fellow All-Stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, managing six factors, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal in 19 minutes.

Like Durant and Irving, he didn’t function after half-time in what was a short-lived have a look at the Nets’ new large three.

It marked Simmons’ first sport in 470 days since his messy 76ers exit that culminated in a high-profile commerce involving Harden in February.

He didn’t play in any respect final season attributable to psychological and bodily well being complaints, admitting lately the heckling he obtained for his reluctance to shoot the ball had weighed closely on him.

Simmons threw one easy behind-the-back help and opened his account with a robust dunk.

However he missed two mid-range efforts and, with the backdrop of some booing Philadelphia followers in Brooklyn, missed each free throws he tried.

“So good to be again; grateful and blessed to be again on the court docket,” Simmons stated on court docket after the sport.

“Total [the team’s performance was] strong, clearly a number of room for enchancment, particularly defensively, however it’s a complete new crew.”