According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, 76ers guard Ben Simmons met with Doc Rivers and Philadelphia 76ers’ medical staff informing them “he’s not mentally ready to play to his expectations now.” Simmons “has to be evaluated” by medical professionals to determine next steps, Wojnarowski reported.
Simmons was cleared to practice on Sunday, when he appeared disengaged from the process. By Tuesday, Rivers threw him out of practice for conduct detrimental to the team, suspending him for the season opener on Wednesday. Simmons skipped an individual workout on Thursday, complaining of back tightness. There has been no other mention of Simmons’ back issue in the detailed reporting surrounding his playing status.
Ben Simmons: “why can James Harden force a trade and i can’t?” pic.twitter.com/H24fv9P1uj
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) October 21, 2021
Sources: 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons is currently not mentally ready to play for the team and was receiving treatment on his back today due to ramp up process. He will miss Friday’s home opener vs. Nets and is not expected to play for an undetermined period of time.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 21, 2021
