Saturday’s rout against San Antonio didn’t just set Ben Simmons’ highest scoring game of the season.
It became his most offensive record.
Simmons finished with a modest total of 13 points, but also shot 6-of-7 from the floor.
He drove hard to the rim, but debilitating back pain made him extremely reluctant to do so.
Asked if he’s making a conscious effort to attack the paint more or if he’s simply feeling better physically after undergoing back surgery, Simmons said it’s the latter.
“I feel better. It takes time. It’s one of those things that goes up and down every day. But I’m just staying with it. Storms don’t last forever,” Simmons said. . “You know, we’re going to go back to where we were. So we just stay there. And you know, every day is a day that gets better.”
Simmons has been notorious for his inability to play mid-range, let alone hit a 3-point shot.
But against the Spurs, he made a successful turnaround and hit a 10-foot fadeaway in the lane, which should only make him more comfortable.
“I mean, it’s always confidence to see it succeed. I know I have it.” [shot]” Simmons added five assists, three steals and two blocks. He played great defense against the 7-foot-4 center genius, Victor Wembaneyama, and was a plus-10 in 21 minutes and 30 seconds.
Nic Claxton already has 20 points and 10 board games in five games in 2023-24, tying his career totals entering the season.
He is averaging 3.8 blocks in his past five games.
The Nets will play the Celtics on Tuesday and Boston on Wednesday.
Coming into the home-and-home game, they have the eighth-easiest schedule in all of Tancasson, but that will certainly get easier once they finish playing against the league leaders.
The Nets’ four trade exceptions are the second-most in the NBA behind Philadelphia’s five, led by a league-high $20.4 million trade exception.
Newly acquired Dennis Schroder was included in the remainder of Kevin Durant’s trade exception, which was set to expire at the trade deadline.
Thad Young, who was subsequently waived, is eligible for the Joe Harris trade exception, with the remaining $11.9 million available until July 7th.
The $6.8 million Patty Mills exception expires on the same day.
The aforementioned Spencer Dinwiddie exception is the second-largest in the league after Atlanta’s $23 million exception for John Collins and is on par with Royce O’Neal’s $9.5 million exception.February 9, 2025 Expires on the day.
Jalen Wilson scored eight points on 3-of-4 shooting and six boards against the Spurs, posting a plus-14 point rating.
He’s a second-round steal and appears to be carving out a rotation role.
“Every game has an opportunity, no matter who’s in or who’s out,” Wilson told the Post. “I don’t necessarily think of it as a new opportunity because I have time to go out and work, but it’s just like a new opportunity.”
