Matt Johnson
Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons will not play in his return to the Wells Fargo Center to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. However, fans will be able to see the former All-Star guard throughout the night.
Simmon is currently sidelined with back soreness, suffered as he worked his way back up to game-ready conditioning. While the issue isn’t expected to sideline him indefinitely, Brooklyn already ruled him out ahead of its looming matchup with the 76ers in Philadelphia.
Related: NBA injury report – Latest on Ben Simmons, Draymond Green
While Simmons won’t be available to play, per Shams Charania, the 6-foot-10 NBA star will be alongside his teammates on the bench throughout the game in front of the Philly crowd.
Brooklyn is hoping that its prized acquisition from the NBA trade deadline will receive clearance to return later in March. However, they aren’t going to rush him back and are focused on seeing him return to the court when he can play without limitations or the risk of a setback.
It will also be the first time James Harden faces his former team, which will have both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in the lineup. Since joining the 76ers, Harden is averaging 26.8 points, 12 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game. Philadelphia hasn’t lost a game with Harden and Joel Embiid in the lineup.
