Nuggets fans celebrate Jamal Murray’s halftime victory against the Thunder on Monday.
NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Simmons hooked onto the defense and caught a pass in the transition and he dunked. About a minute later, he threw a three-pointer to his Brooklyn Nets teammate.
Simmons has been playing for his old club in his first NBA game since June 2021, making him one of the many big names returning to basketball.
“I’m grateful to be on this floor and back on the NBA floor,” Simmons said. “So I had a great time there.”
Kawhi Leonard also returned to the Los Angeles Clippers and Jamal Murray returned to the Denver Nuggets, both of whom were sidelined last season with an ACL tear.
There is no doubt that their team was feeling after expecting to be title contenders last season, but injuries have shattered those hopes. Paul George also missed big time for the Clippers, and Michael Porter Jr. missed nine games for the Nuggets.
They both played on Monday, with Damian Lillard returning to Portland after missing the last 47 games of last season when the Clippers and Trail Blazers were in preseason.
“As a fan of the game, the return of Kawhi is great for basketball, the return of Jamal Murray is great for basketball,” the Nets’ Kevin Durant said on the field.
Simmons wants him close to playing after being traded to the Nets last February in a trade involving James Harden. Simmons cited mental health issues when he sought a trade with the Sixers after a disappointing playoff performance after the East’s No. 1 seed was eliminated in the second round by Atlanta.
But a herniated disc prevented his late-season debut and forced him to undergo surgery during the off-season.
Fully freed, Simmons had six points, five assists and four rebounds in 19 minutes as a starter. He left Philadelphia weak, his last memory of a first pick in 2016, a mere loss in Game 7 to the Hawks. But he looked confident passing the ball or playing from a low stance, although he missed his only two free throws.
Simmons said he thought he would be nervous, but he didn’t. Durant recalls feeling anxious after missing the 2019-20 season due to Achilles surgery.
“You want to know how your lungs will feel in an organized game because it’s different from pickup, practice and play,” Durant said. “So, you just want to see where your legs are on the jumper. So go away for a year and come back with a lot of anxiety. I know what I did.”
Leonard’s last appearance came a few days before Simmons, in the 2021 Western Conference semi-finals. Murray’s absence was longer, torn his ACL in April 2021, leaving him unable to try to repeat the stellar playoff he endured when he led the Nuggets to the 2020 Western Conference Finals at Walt Disney World.
“These long-term injuries are hard, grim,” said Oklahoma City coach Mark Dagno. “These guys don’t play basketball for a long time, they don’t play until they’re 50. It’s hard, it takes a lot of dedication and work. Progress, especially at the beginning, is almost imperceptible. Such injuries will leave you unable to carry heavy weights for long periods of time. In terms of keeping in shape, of course, I’m happy for him and wish him all the best. He is a very good player and their team will benefit from his return.”
There are very high hopes for Denver as their roster is bolstered by reigning two-time Kia NBA MVP.
While Leonard is fully acquitted, the team is approaching an All-Star return with some caution.
The 6-foot-11 former All-Star guard is expected to be ready for the Nets’ training camp this season.
There are very high hopes for Denver as their roster is bolstered by reigning two-time Kia NBA MVP.
While Leonard is fully acquitted, the team is approaching an All-Star return with some caution.
The 6-foot-11 former All-Star guard is expected to be ready for the Nets’ training camp this season.
Metropolitans 92 The Wembanyamas will play top players Scoot Henderson and G League Ignite in two shows.
The Cavaliers announced that Mobley would be revalued ahead of the team’s season opener on October 19.
Towns said he “looked good” at the season opener in Minnesota on October 19 after falling ill.
During training camp in Charleston, South Carolina, the Sixers organized field trips to several historical museums.
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Post time: Oct-04-2022