Not only is Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons not making his return to the court tonight, he’s not even sitting on the bench watching Game 4 vs. the Boston Celtics.
There were reports that Simmons was finally going to make his Nets debut this evening, but on Sunday, the team ruled him out after he reportedly experienced back pain. Simmons still has not played in an NBA game since the 2021 playoffs.
When the Nets tipped off against Boston about a half hour ago, Simmons was nowhere to be found. He was a prominent presence on the bench for Game 3 on Saturday, but either isn’t in the building right now or is hanging out away from the spotlight.
Either way, it’s a bad look for the former No. 1 overall pick, who has been a lightning rod for criticism over the last year or so. Simmons already took heat for not playing tonight with his team facing elimination.
Not surprisingly, he’s being crushed for not even sitting on the bench.
Ben Simmons isn’t on the bench?
Lol this is a wrap
— Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) April 25, 2022
Looks like no Ben Simmons on the bench tonight… safe to assume someone in his camp advised him that his bright outfits while sitting next to the coaching staff was an ugly optic.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) April 25, 2022
Ben Simmons not on the bench is a bad look. Support your teammates. A microcosm of everything that’s gone wrong this era – stars are bigger than the franchise
— Brooklynsbeat (@brooklynsbeat) April 25, 2022
In other news, it doesn’t look like Ben Simmons is on the Nets bench in this first quarter.
— Chris Milholen (@CMilholenSB) April 25, 2022
Ben Simmons isn’t even on the bench.
— Guru (@DrGuru_) April 25, 2022
Ben Simmons not even on the bench tonight?
— Don Juan 🏁🏁🏁 (@Dopeistwon) April 25, 2022
Ben Simmons not even on the bench wow
— ☘️ＣＥＬＴＩＣＳ ＭＡＮＩＬＡ🇵🇭 (@CelticsMNL) April 25, 2022
Ben Simmons couldn’t even be bothered to put on a mediocre fit and ride the bench
— Rawan (@rxwxnxlnxjjxr) April 25, 2022
Is Ben Simmons deadass not even on the bench?
— Kevin Pantoja (@the_kevstaaa) April 25, 2022
Ben Simmons not being out on the bench now is so nasty
— NA (@ThaCdot) April 25, 2022
We’ll likely get an explanation from the Nets post-game on Simmons’ whereabouts. In the meantime, Brooklyn will try to avoid being swept.
The Celtics currently lead 30-26 at the end of the first quarter. You can catch the action on TNT.
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