Ben Simmons will not play in the Philadelphia 76ers' season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday due to a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
The Sixers announced the suspension on Tuesday morning:
Ben Simmons has been suspended for one game due to conduct detrimental to the team. As a result, Simmons will miss the 76ers’ season opener at New Orleans tomorrow night, per the Sixers.
— Kevin McCormick (@KevinMcCNBA) October 19, 2021
Ben Simmons surprisingly returned from his lengthy holdout last week and has been back at practice with his teammates for a few days. There was some drama surrounding his practice on Monday, including speculation that he had a cellphone in his pocket and a video of him not participating in a team huddle. It seems things got worse on Tuesday, because he was reportedly kicked out of practice by Doc Rivers for not being engaged:
Ben Simmons is not talking today, I’m told, and was suspended due to an event that happened at practice today
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) October 19, 2021
Ben Simmons was kicked out of today’s practice for no being engaged, according to sources. #Sixers
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) October 19, 2021
Sixers coach Doc Rivers threw Ben Simmons out of practice today and the suspension came shortly thereafter, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 19, 2021
This has the makings of a debacle. It seems Ben Simmons could be going the Jimmy Butler/James Harden route of being disruptive in an attempt to force a trade. The Sixers are doing their best to welcome him back into the fold after his offseason trade request, but things are clearly not going well on that front right now.
It's still not even totally clear if Simmons plans to play in any games for the Sixers moving forward. While signs had been pointing that way, this drama at practice could mean he just plans to wreak havoc until he finally gets what he wants and gets dealt. Rivers says Simmons will be expected back at the next practice, so we'll see what happens.
Stay tuned for more as the Ben Simmons saga continues in Philly.
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