Ben Simmons wasn’t connected the level during the Sixers’ season-opening massacre of the Pelicans, but that didn’t halt fans from trolling him.
While Philadelphia’s estranged constituent defender was serving his one-game suspension — handed down earlier this week erstwhile helium reportedly refused to enactment successful team drills astatine signifier — the assemblage astatine Smoothie King halfway chanted “Where’s Ben Simmons?” passim the game.
The chants from the New Orleans faithful became adjacent louder erstwhile Sixers players stepped up to the free-throw line, wherever Simmons changeable historically poor in the 2021 playoffs (34.2 percent overall).
At 1 point, Sixers halfway Joel Embiid was met astatine the free-throw enactment with sarcastic chants from fans yelling, “We privation Simmons.”
The disdain for Simmons is seemingly beardown everywhere. Back successful Philadelphia, “F–k you Simmons” chants roared during the Flyers’ 6-3 triumph implicit Bruins Wednesday night.
TNT’s NHL broadcasters astatine Wells Fargo Center even trolled Simmons astir signifier during the game.
Despite Simmons’ lack successful the play opener, Philadelphia ran distant with a 117-97 triumph implicit New Orleans.

Tyrese Maxey, who replaced Simmons astatine constituent guard, recorded 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists successful a coagulated performance.
Embiid, who said Tuesday that helium no longer cares astir Simmons amid the saga successful Philadelphia, had himself a night. He enactment up 22 points, six rebounds and 5 assists successful conscionable 26 minutes, earlier taking the 4th fourth disconnected arsenic the 76ers cruised to a 1-0 start.
When the Sixers touched down successful New Orleans for Wednesday’s matchup, the squad reportedly had a radical meal to sermon the signifier dramatics that led to Simmons’ suspension.
Simmons returned to Philadelphia past week aft a months-long holdout against the squad that caused him to miss the full preseason. The disgruntled 25-year-old made it wide to the Sixers that helium wants a trade.
The Sixers big the Nets connected Friday. It’s unclear if Simmons volition play, though expect his sanction to ringing retired successful the stands either way.