Three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons, who only played in six games this season before sustaining a nerve impingement in his back on November 6, returned to action for the Brooklyn Nets Monday evening at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and immediately showed why he was sorely missed by the franchise.
In only his seventh game, Simmons entered with 6:27 remaining in the first quarter with the Nets facing the Utah Jazz. The 6-10 point-forward’s two quick assists and an offensive rebound in his first 46 seconds of play, with Brooklyn up by 16-14, initiated a 20-6. The Nets cruised to a 147-114 win to improve to 19-27 and a tie for the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference with the Atlanta Hawks after the victory.
The Nets hosted the surging Phoenix Suns last night, who had won eight of their previous 10 games. Simmons was spectacular, hitting all five of his shots while scoring 10 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists in only 18 minutes without turning the ball over. He became the second player in NBA history to record 10 or more points, five or more rebounds, and 10 or more assists without a turnover or a missed field goal, joining two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, who accomplished the feat on October 20, 2018, against the Suns.
The Nets’ 147 points tied for the second-most in a regulation game since the franchise became the Brooklyn Nets. The team also dished out 41 assists, which is the third time since 2000 that they have recorded 40 or more assists in a game and the first in franchise history with 40 or more assists and fewer than 10 turnovers—Brooklyn turned the ball over nine times Monday.
The win was also the first time they won two in a row since besting the Detroit Pistons on December 23 and December 26.
“I think it was a good first game,” Simmons said. “Certain guys know what it’s like to play with me and where their shots are going to come from. So for us, it’s easy.”
With over half this season completed, Simmons said the Nets have much upside.
“I think we could be really good if we do everything we need to do, but that takes time and focus and dedication, from the front office to the last guy on the bench, to training staff, the coaches,” he said. “It’s a team effort and I think we can get that if everyone buys into it.” Simmons also added that his playing time isn’t his decision, but that of the organization.
When the season began, the Nets’ needs were rebounding, playmaking ability, and the defensive skill set that Simmons brings to the game. In a small sample after missing nearly three months, without practicing with his teammates, he displayed all three on Monday.
Brooklyn heads to Philadelphia on Saturday to face Simmons’s former team, the 76ers. The Nets return to the Barclays Center for back-to-back games against the Golden State Warriors on Monday and the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.