January 30th 2024.
After a lengthy absence due to a back injury, Ben Simmons made an impressive comeback in the Brooklyn Nets' dominant win against the Utah Jazz, falling just short of a triple-double. The Australian guard, who had been sidelined for 12 weeks and 38 games, put on a remarkable display of his skills, racking up 10 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds in just 18 minutes of play.
When asked about his return, Simmons, according to ESPN, replied, "We got the win, so yes. That's the main objective for me, and that's really all I care about." His contribution proved to be a game-changer for the Nets, who had been struggling with inconsistent performances. Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas also had impressive scoring performances, with 33 and 25 points, respectively.
Despite entering the game with a slim two-point lead, Simmons, playing in only his seventh game of the season, sparked a 14-0 run that gave the Nets a comfortable 16-point advantage. Throughout the game, they maintained a lead of at least nine points, securing their first back-to-back victories since late December.
In the first quarter alone, Simmons set a franchise record with six assists off the bench. He showed no signs of his previous injury, displaying his all-around abilities on both ends of the court with steals, assists, and rebounds. Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn praised Simmons' impact in the game, saying, "Other people played so well tonight because of the impact of Ben Simmons. It's that simple."
Simmons' return had exceeded expectations, as he had only taken part in the shoot-around on game day after training with the G-League affiliate Long Island over the weekend. However, Vaughn also acknowledged the need to carefully manage Simmons' workload in future games, given his previous injury history.
In related news, actor Jamie Foxx recently criticized sports analyst Stephen A. Smith for calling out Simmons. Smith responded by defending his comments, saying that Simmons needed to improve his shooting skills to reach his full potential. The post about Simmons' return was first reported on Black Enterprise.
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