Nets can’t beat 76ers in Simmons return despite 3 stars out

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

The Brooklyn Nets had their three best players. Yet the Philadelphia 76ers were without their three best players.

Somehow, the 76ers were able to defeat the Nets on Tuesday night. Philadelphia won 115-106 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

This was Ben Simmons first game back following his trade to the Nets. He decided not to play when the teams played each other in March.

Simmons heard the boos from the Philadelphia faithful, who let their hatred for him be heard.

James Harden, who was acquired in the trade in February for Simmons, missed the game due to an injury. Also out due to injury was Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Tobias Harris led the 76ers with 24 points. This was a season-high for Harris, who had missed the team’s last two games.

He also had six rebounds and three assists.

Harris has scored 20 or more points in four of his last six games. Before Tuesday night, Harris had a then-season-high of 23 points on November 4th against the New York Knicks.

The 76ers starters accounted for 68 points. Their bench had 47 points, including 19 points by Paul Reed.

Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 23 points. This was his second game back following a lengthy suspension due to an anti-semitic video that he shared on his social media account.

This was Irving’s best scoring performance in a game since Halloween. That’s when he had 28 points against the Indiana Pacers.

The Nets starters had 77 points. The bench had a lackluster 29 points.

Former 76ers player Seth Curry, who was sent to Brooklyn in the Harden-Simmons trade, led the Nets bench with 14.