NEW YORK (AFP) — Brooklyn’s Ben Simmons endured a defeat in his emotional National Basketball Association return to Philadelphia as a 76ers’ squad lacking three top stars humbled the Nets, 115-106.
The pre-game focus was on ex-Sixer Simmons playing his first game in Philadelphia since being traded to the Nets in February, but the shorthanded hosts — playing without injured starters Joel Embiid, James Harden and Tyrese Maxey — stole the show.
Tobias Harris scored 18 of his 24 points after halftime, De’Anthony Melton added 22 points and Paul Reed came off the bench to add 19 points and 10 rebounds to spark the 76ers.
Shake Milton and Georges Niang each contributed 16 points.
“I just needed to get into a rhythm, and once I was able to find that flow, I just stuck with it and made the right play,” Harris said.
“That was a huge win for us.”
Sixers fans loudly booed Simmons when he was introduced and every time he touched the ball, despite being born of a bad breakup with the 26-year-old Australian after four seasons in Philly.
“I thought it was going to be louder,” Simmons said.
