Ben Simmons has been savagely exposed for leaving his teammates hanging during a crucial NBA playoff contest.
Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in the middle of the 2021/22 season in a blockbuster trade that landed the Philadelphia 76ers James Harden.
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After having not suited up throughout the regular season, Simmons’ return to the hardwood gained momentum in the lead up to the playoffs.
The Athletic reported his return had been earmarked for the Nets in Game 4 of their first round series against the Boston Celtics.
Down 3-0, the Nets were on the brink of elimination and a Ben Simmons injection could have delivered the spark they required.
Prior to the do-or-die contest, Simmons pulled out due to back soreness that eventually required surgery. He did not sit on the bench alongside his teammates for the game which the Celtics won 116-112.
But now a new damning report has shown Simmons’ withdrawal went a step further. NBA analyst Ric Bucher spilled the beans, exposing Simmons’ bizarre snub.
“They’re having a team chat before game four, thinking he’s going to play against the Celtics, and from what I’m told, Ben just left the chat,” Bucher told Colin Cowherd on The Herd.
“They asked him, ‘Are you going to play?’ Ben left the chat. Like he didn’t even answer the question. He just left the chat.”
The damning report sent basketball social media into a spin with many rocked by the unbelievable move from the Aussie.
Podcaster Mike Golic Jr wrote: “Not sure anyone involved ever recovers and I’m only kind of joking.”
ESPN’s Sarah Spain wrote: “WELP”.
Barstool Sports’ Dan Greenberg wrote: “I’m sorry what”.
The news comes on the same day Kevin Durant’s bombshell trade demands came to light, with the superstar putting an ultimatum on team owner Joe Tsai.
The 26-year-old required surgery in May on his lower back after withdrawing from that crucial playoff clash with the Celtics.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Simmons needed back surgery after experiencing “pain soreness” the day before the Nets were eventually eliminated.
“Brooklyn Nets swingman Ben Simmons will require three to four months of rehabilitation after undergoing back surgery, but is expected to be fully recovered to return to the court well ahead of pre-season training camp in September, sources told ESPN on Wednesday,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski wrote.
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