The NBA world has been waiting for Ben Simmons to show that he can still play basketball at the level he once did. Unfortunately for the New Orleans Pelicans, i

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons came off the bench for the first time this season in Friday's loss at the Boston Celtics.

CLEVELAND — Nic Claxton and Ben Simmons haven’t started together so far this season. And it doesn’t sound like it’ll happen until Simmons makes it happen, until he plays so well that Nets coach Jordi Fernandez has no choice but to start him.

Ben Simmons finished with six points, five rebounds, 12 assists and two steals while shooting 3/5 from the field in 22 minutes of playing time. Many NBA fans reacted to his performance. @PCSportsMedia: "Ben Simmons is wheeling and dealing for the Nets.

Simmons isn't exactly the most well-loved player in the league, which is why it comes as no surprise that the jokes started pouring in on X after the fans learned about the Nets' decision to relegate the 28-year-old to a bench role.

Ben Simmons will come off the bench for the first time during the 2024-25 season on Friday. Simmons was replaced by center Nic Claxton in the Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Nets announced before Friday's game at the Boston Celtics that Ben Simmons would be coming off the bench for the first time this season.

Simmons played his seventh game of the season. Last season, he played in six of the Nets’ first seven games before suffering a pinched nerve that kept him out for 2 1/2 months and eventually limited him to 15 games.

The Brooklyn Nets aren't planning to use Ben Simmons for both legs of back-to-backs for the foreseeable future. Head coach Jordi Fernández told reporters

Simmons (back) did not play in Saturday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, however, against the Boston Celtics, the point forward came off the bench for the first time this s