The Philadelphia 76ers fined Ben Simmons for missing Thursday night’s 109-98 victory over the Detroit Pistons, according to ESPN, one day after Simmons told Daryl Morey, the Sixers president of basketball operation, he still wasn’t mentally ready to rejoin the team.
Simmons was fined $360,000 for missing the game. The Sixers plan to continue fining him until he resumes his basketball-related obligation and cooperates with their medical team on his mental health issues.
Simmons’ refusal to accept the Sixers’ assistance to address his mental readiness to play is frustrating the organization. The disgruntled point guard has been working instead with mental health professionals through the National Basketball Players Association since this summer. He has not shared details of those meetings with the Sixers.
He has, however, received treatment from the team doctors for a back ailment. In addition to receiving treatment, he’s participated in individual shooting drills. Simmons has yet to become a full participant in team activities at the Sixers’ practice facilities.
Before Thursday, the three-time All-Star had been fined close to $2 million for missing five games (four exhibitions), practices, and meetings.
Prior to these recent developments, Simmons said he wanted to be traded in a meeting with Sixers executives, and later communicated that he believes his partnership with the team and Joel Embiid has run its course.
FRIDAY GAMES
KNICKS 113, BUCKS 98: Julius Randle had 32 points and 12 rebounds, and visiting New York erased an early 21-point deficit and beat Milwaukee.
Derrick Rose had 23 points off the bench and RJ Barrett added 20 as the Knicks stunned the reigning NBA champions on their home court. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 25 points for Milwaukee and Grayson Allen had a season-high 22.
The Bucks, who snapped a three-game losing streak in a rout of the Pistons in Detroit on Tuesday, jumped out to a commanding early lead. Milwaukee connected on four 3-pointers out of the gate and made eight long-range shots overall to take a 38-17 advantage after one quarter. Allen had 14 points and four rebounds in the opening period to pace the Bucks, who shot 50% from deep.
SPURS 102, MAGIC 89: Dejounte Murray had 20 points and 11 rebounds and visiting San Antonio beat Orlando.
The Magic had nine of their 18 turnovers in the fourth quarter, with San Antonio’s withstanding Orlando’s charge within seven points with five minutes to play. Keldon Johnson added 20 points and nine rebounds to help San Antonio improve to 3-6. Derrick White and Devin Vassell each scored 12 points. Murray also had seven assists.
WIZARDS 115, GRIZZLIES 87: Bradley Beal scored 17 points, one of seven Washington players in double figures, and the Wizards routed visiting Memphis.
The Wizards held Memphis to 35% shooting from the field. Washington led 60-47 at halftime and went on a 23-6 run during the third quarter that broke the game open. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 13 points and Ja Morant was held to 11.
CAVALIERS 102, RAPTORS 101: Darius Garland made a pair of free throws with 4.8 seconds remaining, and Cleveland rallied to beat the Raptors, ending Toronto’s winning streak at five games.
Garland scored 21 points, Jarrett Allen had 16 points and 15 rebounds, and Evan Mobley scored 18 for the Cavs, who had lost their previous six games at Toronto.
NETS 96, PISTONS 90: Kevin Durant had 29 points and 10 rebounds, James Harden added a triple-double and Brooklyn extended its winning streak to four games with a win in Detroit.