For Philadelphia 76ers rising star point guard Ben Simmons, Thursday night's 108-103 loss in Game 2 to the Boston Celtics was a game for him to forget as he finished with just one point on 0-of-4 shooting from the field.
However, fellow rooking shooting guard Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz provided some support for Simmons.
According to Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News, Mitchell said that he isn't making a big deal about Simmons' bad game and noted other star players who had nights similar to the Sixers rookie.
“The biggest thing that people don't understand is that every player has that night,” Mitchell said after Friday's shootaround. “You look at LeBron [James] against the Mavs in the Finals, he had eight points [in Game 4]. There was one year I was watching [James] Harden play against the Warriors, and he had about 10 turnovers in a playoff game. So it happens to everybody.”
How does Mitchell think Simmons will handle such a bad game? By responding with a great performance for the Sixers in Game 3 on Saturday night.
“It just so happens that it happened to [Simmons], and I expect him to respond back. He's a good player. Good players respond back, and it's all about the response. It's a testament to his character. But it happens. He can't play great every night. It's not as easy as some people think,” Mitchell added.
A classy response from Mitchell, indeed. Very well said.
As for the Jazz, they will look to take a 2-1 series lead over the top-seeded Houston Rockets in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals tonight at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
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