* Tonight on NBA TV: Sixers vs. Pistons, 7 ET
Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, who missed most of the team’s last game because of tightness in his back, is officially out for tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons.
Simmons was officially listed as questionable on the Sixers’ game notes, but coach Brett Brown said he is officially listing Simmons as “out” tonight. Simmons did not participate in the team’s shootaround today. In addition, Brown considers backup big man Mike Muscala (left ankle sprain) doubtful tonight as well.
Simmons logged seven minutes on Saturday against the Orlando Magic, finishing with four points and four assists in Philadelphia’s thrilling 116-115 victory. Since then, Simmons missed the team’s practice on Monday and is iffy for a key early-season matchup with the Pistons.
At Monday’s practice, Sixers coach Brett Brown said he would likely err on the side of caution with Simmons. But he also did not rule out Simmons playing tonight, writes Sarah Todd of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“Nobody said he’s definitely not playing,” Brown said. “He’s progressing. He did not go through practice today … but he’s progressing.”
Simmons missed just one game last season, when he sat out against the Orlando Magic on Nov. 25 because of swelling in his left elbow.
Does Brown hope to get more out of Markelle Fultz in Simmons’ absence?
“You hope to get more from everybody if we’re missing one of our crown jewels in Ben Simmons,” Brown said.
With Simmons out tonight, Fultz would likely shift over to the point and take on more playmaking responsibilities. In Saturday’s win against the Magic, guard J.J. Redick stepped in off the bench and provided 31 points and the game-winning 3-pointer with 17 seconds left. This season, Simmons is averaging 12 points, 9.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game and had a triple-double against the Chicago Bullson Oct. 18.
Brown also noted that center Joel Embiid is under no restrictions this season when it comes to back-to-back games. The Sixers face their first back-to-back set as they face the Pistons tonight and travel to play the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow (9:30 ET, ESPN). Last season, Embiid was on a minutes restriction and wasn’t cleared for back-to-back games until February.
