The 2021-22 NBA Season is underway, yet the drama between Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers doesn't seem to be subsiding.
The latest updates came on Thursday afternoon from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who reported that Simmons made a brief cameo at the Sixers' practice facility and is unlikely to play in the team's game on Friday, against the Brooklyn Nets — which will also mark the home opener for Philadelphia.
Per Woj:
“All-Star Ben Simmons arrived and departed the 76ers practice facility today without taking part in a scheduled individual workout. His status for Friday night's game vs. Brooklyn … is unclear. As a team, the Sixers had no practice today.”
Woj followed up with this tweet:
“Simmons has yet to fully engage in a team practice, so it remains unlikely that he would make his season-debut vs. the Nets on Friday.”
Minutes later, Wojnarowski reported that Simmons “described back tightness to several Sixers staff members and was briefly treated for it today.” However, the Sixers weren't buying it:
The Sixers' medical staff cleared Simmons to participate in the workout after the back treatment, sources tell ESPN. The Sixers had hoped to see Simmons in the workout today and have him go through shoot-around on Friday morning prior to game vs. Nets. https://t.co/WygyAnShmz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 21, 2021
As the leaks continued to pour in, The Athletic's Shams Charania threw out this doozy, presumably from Simmons' camp, which cited the disgruntled All-Star's mental state as a reason for his expected absence.
Sources: 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons is currently not mentally ready to play for the team and was receiving treatment on his back today due to ramp up process. He will miss Friday’s home opener vs. Nets and is not expected to play for an undetermined period of time.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 21, 2021
Sans Simmons — who was suspended for the season opener for “conduct detrimental to the team” after declining to participate in drills at practice on Tuesday — the 76ers rolled over the New Orleans Pelicans 117-97, at the Smoothie King Center.
“We’ve been practicing hard,” Joel Embiid, who dropped 22 and 12, said after the win. “It was good to kind of get off to a good start, get a win, and kind of forget about the off-the-court stuff.”
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the team benefited from a clear-the-air dinner prior to the Pelicans game, though the article did not specify whether Simmons was in attendance.
After Friday's matchup with the Nets, the Sixers will visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.
On Thursday, Simmons listed his primary residence in New Jersey on the market for $5 million. A few weeks back, he put his Philly-area home on sale.
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