Following a weeks-long contract dispute, star point guard Ben Simmons has yet again made headlines after being suspended by the Philadelphia 76ers from appearing in their NBA 2021-22 season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
The 76ers released the following statement on the matter: “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.”
According to reports, Simmons was outed by coach Doc Rivers for not fully participating with the team during Tuesday’s practice. After refusing to participate in a defensive drill, Rivers reportedly asked Simmons to join the rest of the team, a request which Simmons declined. Rivers then asked Simmons to leave the practice session, with Simmons reportedly throwing down a ball before leaving the court.
Following Tuesday’s practice Rivers called Simmons’ behavior “a distraction”, explaining that he simply did not want to do what everyone else was doing. Fellow 76ers star Joel Embiid expressed a lack of enthusiasm when questioned about Simmons’ behavior, explaining that he is not Simmons’ “babysitter”. “He does whatever he wants,” Embiid explained.
