It was a quick night for Ben Simmons in the Brooklyn Nets’ final pre-season game, playing just 13 minutes before fouling out of the game.
Both he and coach Steve Nash chuckled after a perplexed Simmons wondered what he’d done wrong early in the third quarter, called for grabbing Minnesota superstar Karl Anthony-Towns.
Simmons finished with two points, two rebounds, and six assists. One of those six dimes was a gorgeous full-court pass to Kyrie Irving, who top scored with 26.
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Patty Mills came off the bench for six points and one rebound in 23 minutes of play as the Nets beat the Timberwolves, 112-02.
Nash told ESPN afterwards what he’d told the Australian after fouling out.
Simmons heaves length-of-the-court assist
“I said ‘you might as well go straight to the bike and get some conditioning,'” the coach said.
“I don’t think he was ready for the joke.”
Simmons conceded afterwards that he probably wouldn’t be laughing if it had been the regular season, but said that both players and officials were still getting into the swing of things.
He did make clear that if the game requires him to be physical, he doesn’t mind getting dirty.
“I don’t mind, I might as well use the fouls. I got six of them so I’m trying to be physical and show my presence out there for my teammates because I feel like that’s going to be a big responsibility of mine, bringing that energy, that physicality, and setting the tone for our team,” he said.
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