Philly 76ers suspend Ben Simmons for their season opener

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Ben Simmons will miss the Philadelphia 76ers' NBA season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday after being handed a one game suspension.

Ben Simmons has been with the Sixers since being drafted by Philly in 2016.
Ben Simmons has been with the Sixers since being drafted by Philly in 2016.  © IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

On Tuesday, the 76ers announced Simmons (25) will be suspended for the team's season opener due to "conduct detrimental to the team".

According to reports from ESPN, the three-time All-Star was ejected from practice after coach Doc Rivers grew frustrated with his lack of engagement.

Simmons demanded a trade amid the fallout from last season's unexpected playoff exit to the Atlanta Hawks, where he was criticized often for his poor offensive performance.

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He was absent for the first two weeks of preseason work before showing up on October 11 to begin fulfilling coronavirus protocols that would allow him to re-join the championship-chasing franchise.

Rivers told reporters on Monday he had "no idea" whether Simmons would play in the opening game of the 2021-22 season.

"When it comes, I'll make the decision," the coach said at the time. "But I'm just going to wait and see and watch. The spirit has been so good, and so we're just going to keep going."

Apparently, the spirit may have changed since then, with Simmons on the receiving end.

"I'm trying to win," commented Simmons' teammate and superstar center Joel Embiid. "At the end of the day, our job is not to babysit somebody."

Simmons has four years and $147 million left on his max contract, something for anyone to consider if a Philly trade out does come to fruition.

The Australian will be fined $227,000 for this missed game, and be added to the nearly one-and-a-half million for missing four preseason games recently.

The Sixers will open their season on the road against the Pelicans on Wednesday night.

Cover photo: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

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