Ben Simmons suspended one game, will miss Sixers’ season-opener

With fans and media awaiting Ben Simmons’ first appearance in front of reporters since his presser following the Game 7 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia 76ers announced he “has been suspended for one game due to conduct detrimental to the team.” As such, Simmons will not play in the Sixers’ 2021-22 regular-season debut against the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday night.

According to Kyle Neubeck of The Philly Voice, Simmons “was suspended due to an event that happened at practice” Tuesday. Simmons was scheduled to speak with the media following practice, but will no longer do so.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that head coach Doc Rivers “threw” Simmons “out of practice today and the suspension came shortly thereafter.” Wojnarowski also reported that “Simmons’ reluctance to physically and mentally engage with the Sixers since his return has been a consistent theme” and “was tossed early in practice, essentially for a refusal to participate in the next stage of the session.”

“I just thought he was a distraction today,” Rivers told reporters. “He didn’t want to do what everyone else is doing.”

Rivers said Simmons is welcomed back when the team next practices.