Now injured, Simmons’ absence causing lineup ripples
PHILADELPHIA » The distinction was subtle, yet intriguing. It was just a word, but it was a significant one. And it was used in a Sixers announcement, then later confirmed as a real distinction.
Ben Simmons, who had been listed as having “lower back tightness,” now has a back “injury.”
With that, Simmons would not play Monday against the visiting Atlanta Hawks. According to the Sixers, Simmons was not at the Wells Fargo Center, was to be reevaluated, and there could be an update on his situation within 24 hours.
Potentially more concerning was that the Sixers said they are in contact with Simmons’ management team as they seek to complete a “comprehensive evaluation” that is “ongoing.”
While all of that could have been nothing more than clarification, it sounded like regression. At the minimum, it backed coach Brett Brown into an open discussion about a cloudy situation.
“It’s not ideal,” the Sixers’ coach said. “It’s not ideal.”
The Sixers first recognized Simmons’ lower-back troubles in their first practice after the All-Star break. The workout closed to the media, Brown reported that Simmons went up for a rebound, came down in some kind of stress and retreated to the trainers’ room. The All-Star did not play the following night in an overtime victory over Brooklyn, with the official explanation being “lower back soreness.”
By last Friday, Simmons had been listed as “probable,” an upgrade Brown characterized as encouraging. But the next night, Simmons played just five minutes and scored five points in a 119-98 loss in Milwaukee.
He has made no comment about his injury.
With little alternative, Brown has vowed to make the most out of an unexpected opportunity to mine his roster for capable alternative point guards.
“I wouldn’t say it is one person,” he said. “I think it will be done by committee. But to anoint, ‘You’re the guy,’ it may evolve to that. To do that right now, I don’t think anybody stands out enough to hand that badge over.”
Shake Milton started in place of Simmons on Monday. Brown also mentioned Furkan Korkmaz, Alec Burks, Josh Richardson and Raul Neto as other options.
“Ben’s not playing 48 minutes a game,” Brown said. “And in that window when Ben’s not playing, what are you going to do? Who are you going to cultivate? And when there is a vacuum, as there is right now without Ben, something will happen, and somebody will step up.”
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With Simmons unavailable, Richardson was prepared to assume more leadguard responsibilities.
“We’ll be able to hold it down,” he said.
Though Richardson was acquired to supplement Simmons on the wing, he has had multiple opportunities at the point. Typically, they have been handled well.
“It’s OK,” he said. “It’s all basketball at the end of the day. I just have to remember to be aggressive at the point. Sometimes I get too into trying to get guys organized, and it kind of hurts the offense at some times.”
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For the first time in four games, Al Horford started Monday. Recently, he had been replaced in the lineup by Glenn Robinson III.
“I have to find ways to help him help us,” Brown said. “Really, we all center on the shot-making. I’m looking at bringing Al back from that defensive toughness, that defensive rebounding thing that we’ve seen. For us to dismiss it like, ‘It just went away,’ would be a mistake. He’s Al Horford.”
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Coached by former Brown assistant Lloyd Pierce, the Hawks entered at just 17-41. Yet they had been 1-1 against the Sixers, including a 127-117 victory Jan. 30. The first two games were in Atlanta. The Hawks will visit the Wells Fargo Center again March 21.
“We’re just confident when all of our guys are available and are playing together,” Pierce said. “It’s not just a Philadelphia thing. We’ve just been inconstant. And that’s something a young team has to get over.”
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NOTES » Tobias Harris had been listed as doubtful with a right knee contusion. But he was cleared to play earlier Monday and started with Richardson, Milton, Horford and Joel Embiid. ... Norvel Pelle was unavailable with an upper respiratory issue. … The Sixers will visit Cleveland Wednesday night at 7.