Simmons, Ingles on track for Olympics

AUSTRALIAN NBA stars Ben Simmons and Joe Ingles will have the option to be vaccinated in the US and are expected to join the Boomers in Tokyo no matter how deep their NBA teams go in the playoffs.

In a big win for the Boomers, coach Brian Goorjian anticipates Simmons, his Sydneyraised 76ers teammate Matisse Thybulle and Ingles will play at the Olympics regardless of a potential clash with the NBA season.

If the 2020-21 campaign goes to a game seven in the NBA Finals, the season will finish a day before the Tokyo opening ceremony on July 23.

Both Simmons, pictured, and Ingles’ teams – Philadelphia and Utah – are first in their respective

East and West conferences. The playoffs to begin on May 18.

This tight schedule will give the NBA’s cast of international players little to no preparation time for the Olympics. However, Goorjian is preparing to have Simmons, Thybulle and Ingles in his Boomers side as it attempts to win a maiden men’s medal.

“I want Joe or Ben to win an NBA championship, so if that means them getting into camp on the cusp of the Olympics, so be it,” Goorjian said.

“Philly and Utah are two great teams and they’ve got a chance to go a long way to the NBA Finals, which would mean no preparation time for the Games. But their hands are up for the Boomers, and when it (the NBA season) finishes they will come across and join us.

“Those guys (Simmons and Ingles) are going to be in this team, no matter if they win the thing or get knocked out. I’m planning and organising the team with those two in it.”