Kevin Durant, Nets rout 76ers in Ben Simmons’ return to Philly

The 76ers followers got here to boo Ben Simmons. They left booing their very own workforce.

Kevin Durant scored 18 of his 25 factors in Brooklyn’s dominating first half within the Nets’ 129-100 blowout victory over the 76ers on Thursday night time in Simmons’ much-hyped return to Philadelphia.

Seth Curry added 24 factors, and Kyrie Irving had 22 for the Nets. They entered in eighth place within the East, however regarded like a respectable convention contender whereas badly outplaying the third-place 76ers.

Joel Embiid had 27 factors and 12 rebounds for the 76ers, and James Harden completed with simply 11 factors. It was the primary loss for Philadelphia in six video games with Harden within the lineup.

The sport was dubbed as “Boo Ben” night time, however the raucous followers as a substitute turned their displeasure on the house workforce when the 76ers went to the locker room trailing 72-51 and once more when Brooklyn constructed a surprising 32-point lead within the third quarter.

“I believe all of us have a look at Ben as our brother,” Durant stated. “We knew this was a hostile setting. It’s laborious to chant at Ben Simmons while you’re shedding by that a lot.”

Simmons, carrying a designer hockey jersey and flashy jewellery, watched from the bench, seemingly taking delight within the vitriol deflected away from him. The three-time All-Star is continuous to recuperate from a again harm that has sidelined him since being swapped for Harden in a blockbuster deal on the commerce deadline.

“We undoubtedly felt like Ben was on our coronary heart,” Irving stated. “For those who come at Ben, you come at us.”

Whereas Simmons hasn’t taken the ground but, Harden had been a boon for the 76ers in contrast to his time in Brooklyn, the place the so-called Massive 3 of Harden, Durant and Irving managed to play simply 16 video games collectively following Harden’s commerce to Brooklyn final January that was billed as a doubtlessly championship transfer. Harden exchanged fist bumps with Nets workers members simply earlier than tip earlier than a surprisingly poor efficiency from the 10-time All-Star and former MVP.

Harden missed 14 of 17 field-goal makes an attempt.

“We simply didn’t have the pop that we wanted,” Harden stated.

The one shot Simmons took was a dunk throughout pregame warmups that drew derisive cheers from the Philly followers.

The boos began early, as Simmons was met with catcalls whereas boarding the workforce bus to shootaround from the Nets’ downtown resort. Simmons did oblige one fan for an autograph, with one other being heard on a video broadly circulated on social media yelling, “Why the grievance? Why spit within the face of Sixers followers? We did nothing however help you for 5 years, Ben. that.”

The heckling continued when Simmons was on the area. He entered the court docket 55 minutes previous to tip, carrying a sleeveless Nets warmup shirt and sweats and spent 20 minutes passing for Patty Mills’ warmup photographs. He didn’t embrace any of his former teammates, although he did stroll the size of the court docket to hug a 76ers official after which exchanged fist pumps with coach Doc Rivers at halftime.

“Seemed good to me, regarded pleased to be right here,” Nets coach Steve Nash stated. “I believe he was pleased to get it out of the best way.”

A big safety presence carefully watched the group and cell telephones captured each Simmons transfer. By the tip of the sport, although, many 76ers followers had left and the remaining Nets followers have been chanting: “BEN SIM-MONS! BEN SIM-MONS!” in a outstanding turnaround from the beginning of the night.

WELCOME BACK

Former 76ers Curry and Andre Drummond, who additionally have been a part of the Simmons for Harden commerce, have been cheered throughout introductions, Curry made 10 of 14 photographs, together with 4 of 8 from 3-point vary. Drummond had seven factors and 7 rebounds.

MOVE OVER, REGGIE

Harden handed Reggie Miller for third on the NBA’s 3-point listing when he made his 2,561st trey with 6:47 left within the first quarter.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nets: LaMarcus Aldridge (hip) missed his second straight contest.

76ers: Danny Inexperienced sat out after injuring his left center finger within the first half of the 76ers’ 121-106 win over the Bulls on Monday.

TIP-INS

Nets: Improved to 21-15 on the street, the place Irving is just allowed to play attributable to his vaccination standing. … Durant additionally had 14 rebounds and 7 assists.

76ers: Paul Millsap returned after lacking Monday’s sport in opposition to Chicago attributable to private causes however didn’t play. … Former Sixers and Corridor of Famers Allen Iverson and Julus “Dr. J” Erving have been in attendance. Erving rang the ceremonial Liberty Bell earlier than the competition.

UP NEXT

Nets: Host New York on Sunday.

76ers: At Orlando on Sunday.