Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons returned to practice with the team on Sunday. Despite that, it's uncertain if Simmons is going to suit up for Wednesday's regular season opener. The star guard hasn't practiced much this offseason and it's unclear if he's in game shape yet. Fantasy managers should expect Simmons to sit out or play in a limited role until he's back to full speed. Right now, Tyrese Maxey seems like a solid streaming option until the Simmons saga is over.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons has cleared health and safety protocols and is eligible to rejoin the team. Despite that, Simmons won't play during the preseason finale against the Detroit Pistons on Friday. The organization still believes they can salvage their relationship with Simmons. It's unclear if Simmons has any intention of suiting up for the Sixers again. This saga continues, but at least it sounds like Simmons is able to play, assuming he wants to at some point.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (personal) won't play during the preseason opener against the Raptors. Simmons remains away from the team as a potential trade to another organization could be in the works. Still, team officials continue to hold out hope that he will return to Philly for the 2021 campaign. However, until that happens, Tyrese Maxey will serve as the starting point guard during Monday's exhibition and likely beyond.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons remains estranged from his current team. After things took a downward spiral once the Sixers were eliminated during the postseason, recent reports indicate that Simmons is not interested in reporting to training camp. Although many teams have emerged as potential suitors to acquire the former LSU Tiger's services, he has recently been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a possible deal involving Lauri Markkanen. It's no secret that the 25-year-old would prefer to suit up for a contender. However, regardless of where Simmons calls home during the 2021-22 campaign, he should remain classified as an elite fantasy option, though category managers will almost certainly take a hit in percentage categories.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons could still be on the move this offseason. According to those close to the situation, the belief is that Simmons has already played his final game in Philly. The multi-time All-Star is also rumored to be advocating for a trade and has reportedly not taken any calls from either team officials or his teammates over the last few months. Nonetheless, the 25-year-old has been a superb option in many fantasy formats throughout the years, averaging 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.7 steals throughout his four seasons of service. However, his shooting percentages haven't been the best, although that could change moving ahead. Managers looking for an impactful contributor in category formats should look in Simmons' direction, as long as they are willing to take a potential hit on the offensive end.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Scott O’Neil, the CEO of the parent company that owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, has resigned after an eight-year run in which he shepherded The Process and the Prudential Center. O’Neil announced Wednesday he was leaving Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment after he helped lead scores of projects under the HBSE banner such as the Grammy Museum at the Prudential Center and the creation of a state-of-the-art Sixers complex, both in New Jersey. O’Neil, who previously led Madison Square Garden Sports, said he did not have another job lined up. HBSE did not immediately name a successor. O’Neil replaced Adam Aron, now the CEO of AMC Entertainment, in 2013 and worked under Sixers and Devils owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer. The owners merged their holdings in 2017 and formed HBSE. HBSE expanded into ownership with other sports and entertainment companies. “I’m leaving because it’s time,” O’Neil said by phone. “I remember what it was like when we... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ben Simmons clanked one free throw off the back of the rim, so he took a breather, fist-bumped Joel Embiid, paced, walked back to the line and bonked another shot. Hey, the 76ers still led the Hawks by 23 points at that point, Game 5 seemed in the bag, so what’s two missed free throws? Just 1 second in game time later, Simmons was back at the line -- Atlanta using a Hack-A-Ben strategy to its advantage in the playoffs -- and Simmons swished one to the roar of the crowd. Back for the second shot, a 76ers fan wearing a No. 25 Simmons T-shirt simulated proper form from the stands, only to have Simmons knock one off the front of the rim. Yes, a three-time All-Star in the first year of a $177 million max deal received a pity ovation in Philly. Simmons missed a stunning 10 free throws in Game 5 -- and that seemingly insurmountable lead turned into an epic defeat that helped usher the top-seeded Sixers out of the postseason. Fans were devastated, the media pounced and Simmons... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ben Simmons backed his way to the basket, spun around Danilo Gallinari for the easy look at the net — an uncontested layup, a dunk — and he passed. Passed the ball. Passed on the shot. Passed on the chance to tie the game. Joel Embiid threw up his hands in disbelief. With a chance to tie Game 7 against Atlanta late in the fourth quarter, Simmons surrendered the chance to play postseason hero and fed the ball to Matisse Thybulle. “I just assumed Gallo was coming over my back,” Simmons said. Simmons thought Gallinari would try to foul him — much as the Hawks did throughout the seven-game series victory to reach the Eastern Conference finals — and going to the line in the clutch was a risk the All-Star guard was not willing to take. His free-throw shooting was the poison in the postseason that ultimately knocked out the top-seeded Sixers. Simmons shot 25-for-73 (34%) from the line in the playoffs and missed 27 alone against the Hawks. Unacceptable numbers for any player,... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ben Simmons backed his way to the basket, spun around Danilo Gallinari for the easy look at the net — an uncontested layup, a dunk — and he passed. Passed the ball. Passed on the shot. Passed on the chance to tie the game. Joel Embiid threw up his hands in disbelief. With a chance to tie Game 7 against Atlanta late in the fourth quarter, Simmons surrendered the chance to play postseason hero and fed the ball to Matisse Thybulle. “I just assumed Gallo was coming over my back,” Simmons said. Simmons thought Gallinari would try to foul him — much as the Hawks did throughout the seven-game series victory to reach the Eastern Conference finals — and going to the line in the clutch was a risk the All-Star guard was not willing to take. His free-throw shooting was the poison in the postseason that ultimately knocked out the top-seeded Sixers. Simmons shot 25-for-73 (34%) from the line in the playoffs and missed 27 alone against the Hawks. Unacceptable numbers for any player,... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Doc Rivers met Joel Embiid on the court, slapped the big man’s hand and gave him a big I-told-you-so in the waning moments of a Game 6 victory. Rivers believed in his 76ers. Embiid, Seth Curry and even Tobias Harris came through down the stretch to reward Rivers’ faith in them and win in Atlanta. “These guys are young, man,” Rivers said. “They need to believe that. I didn’t know if they did or didn’t. I thought they did. You can tell in the way we played. But he have another game.” This Eastern Conference semifinal comes down to Game 7 Sunday in Philadelphia and there’s scant proof the home-court edge will matter much for the top-seeded Sixers. Game 1, Atlanta leads by 26 points, wins. Game 5, Hawks trail by 26, win. Both games in Philly. Here comes Trae Young and the Hawks back to Philadelphia, with recent road success on their side -- but the weight of Atlanta’s career 0-9 mark in Game 7s on the road against them. “You have to look at that, the fact we have won there... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The NBA's top playoff seeds, Philadelphia and Utah, are on the brink of being eliminated. The 76ers have blown leads of 18 and 26 points in back-to-back losses to the Atlanta Hawks, who now lead the Eastern Conference semifinal series 3-2. Atlanta, the No. 5 seed, can clinch the series at home on Friday night after storming back for an improbable 109-106 win on Wednesday night in Philadelphia. “Our backs are against the wall right now and we have to play like it,” said Philadelphia's Tobias Harris. Seth Curry said the 76ers should not have psychological scars from losing big leads in back-to-back losses. “It shouldn’t,” Curry said. “We’re grown men over here. Watch the film and learn from it and bounce back.” Led by Trae Young, the Hawks are attempting to advance to a conference final for only the second time since moving to Atlanta in 1968. The Hawks were swept by Cleveland in the 2015 conference final. The Hawks won their only NBA championship in 1958, when the team was... [More]

Ben Simmons’ foul-shooting woes so far in the playoffs aren’t just obvious. They’re basically unprecedented. The Philadelphia guard is 22 for 67 from the line so far in this postseason. He’s down to 32.8% after going 4-for-14 in Philadelphia’s Game 5 loss to Atlanta in the Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday night — and nobody in NBA playoff history, with that many attempts in single postseason, has ever been worse. The next lowest percentage, among those with at least 67 foul shots in a postseason, is Shaquille O’Neal’s 37.4% for Miami in 2006 — when the Heat wound up winning the NBA championship anyway. “Obviously, I’ve got to knock down free throws,” Simmons said. “I’ve got to step up and do that.” Game 6 of the series is Friday in Atlanta, with the top-seeded 76ers now in a win-or-go-home scenario since they trail the best-of-seven 3-2. There have been, entering Thursday, 804 other instances in NBA history of a player taking at least 67 free throws in a single postseason. Of... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid and the 76ers barely have a leg to stand on. Embiid can’t jump. He can’t get any lift in his shots -- notable in a blown layup that should have won Game 4 -- and couldn’t make any buckets in the second half. Embiid is day to day. So, now, are the top-seeded Sixers. Embiid continues to suit up and play through torn cartilage in his right knee -- admirably, perhaps -- but at the point of diminishing returns for the Sixers. The big man is hurting as the Sixers return home Wednesday for Game 5 against the Atlanta Hawks. Embiid and Ben Simmons’ failures in Game 4 keyed the Sixers collapse down the stretch and let the Hawks pull away with the win and tie the series 2-2. The Western Conference semifinals between the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers. The Jazz return to Salt Lake City with their young star Donovan Mitchell playing with a sore right ankle and all the momentum in the series now with the Clippers. Los Angeles dominated Utah in in Game 3 and Game 4... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Doc Rivers isn't revealing his plan for replacing Danny Green in the Philadelphia 76ers' lineup. Rivers said Sunday “some of the unintended good consequences of having injuries during the regular season” are having options for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night. Green's injury is a big loss for Rivers, but the coach has a deep bench. Green is expected to miss at least two weeks after straining his right calf early Friday in a 127-111 win over the Hawks. The 76ers took a 2-1 lead in the series, putting Atlanta behind in a series for the first time in this postseason. Hawks coach Nate McMillan is trying to avoid putting added pressure on his players. “I think all games are must-wins,” McMillan said Sunday. “If we don’t get tomorrow night we still have another chance in Philly, but you want to take advantage of your home court.” Matisse Thybulle was Rivers' first choice to replace Green in Friday night's game. Thybulle... [More]

Phoenix general manager James Jones was the guy who would routinely hold court at his locker a half-hour before games and engage in all sorts of conversations in his playing days. Books he was reading, what the financial markets were doing, current events, political matters, the nuances of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. It was all fair game. He was smart. He knew it, too. These days, the rest of the NBA — if they didn’t know previously — has figured that out as well. The eight general managers left in the NBA playoffs all had success stories to tell long before their postseason runs of 2021 started. For the team that winds up winning the NBA title, it’ll be a breakthrough since none of the remaining franchises have won a championship since 1983. And for the winning GM, it’ll be another breakthrough -- since none of them have won rings in their current capacities either. “I took this job saying this would be a challenge for me to help young guys who are here in Phoenix, trying... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — John Collins already has seen what playoff success has done to raise the hometown excitement for the Atlanta Hawks. Collins is eager for the opportunity to build more enthusiasm now that the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers has shifted to Atlanta. With the series tied 1-1, Game 3 will be played on Friday. There is less heading into Friday's Game 3 matchup between Phoenix and Denver. The Suns hold a 2-0 lead over the Nuggets in their Western Conference semifinal in a series that Phoenix seems to be in total control. In Atlanta, the Hawks announced a sellout on Thursday for Game 3 and said only a few seats remain for Monday's Game 4. The Hawks have won 13 consecutive home games, the longest active streak in the NBA. The streak includes two home wins as Atlanta beat the New York Knicks in five games in the first round. Collins said he found evidence of Atlanta's playoff fever at his neighborhood gas station. “I go into the same gas... [More]

Rudy Gobert saved Utah's opening game of the second round with a blocked shot, the kind of play that's earned him recognition as the NBA's best defender. It would have been ever better if Mark Eaton had seen it. The former Jazz center died last month at 64 and Gobert was thinking about his predecessor Wednesday after breaking a tie with him for most Defensive Player of the Year awards in franchise history by winning it for a third time. “I thought about it last night because I knew that I probably would have got a text after the game,” Gobert said. “I’m sure he’s very proud and I’m going to try to keep making him proud and keep honoring his legacy." Gobert had the most total blocked shots and defensive rebounds in the league this season and became the fourth player to win the award at least three times after leading the Jazz to the best record in the league. A night after a game-sealing blocked shot in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, Gobert received 84 first-place votes and... [More]

Utah's Rudy Gobert won his third Defensive Player of the Year award Wednesday after helping the Utah Jazz to the best record in the NBA. Gobert had the most total blocked shots and defensive rebounds in the league this season and became the fourth player to win the award at least three times. A night after a game-sealing blocked shot in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, Gobert received 84 first-place votes and 464 points from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Philadelphia's Ben Simmons was second with 15 first-place votes and 287 votes, while Draymond Green of Golden State was third with 76 points. Gobert was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019. Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace each won it four times and Dwight Howard three. With Gobert in the middle, the Jazz went 52-20 and earned the overall No. 1 seed for the first time. They limited teams to 44.7% shooting, second-lowest in the league. Miami's Bam Adebayo earned the other first-place vote... [More]

Utah's Rudy Gobert won his third Defensive Player of the Year award Wednesday after helping the Utah Jazz to the best record in the NBA. Gobert had the most total blocked shots and defensive rebounds in the league this season and became the fourth player to win the award at least three times. A night after a game-sealing blocked shot in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, Gobert received 84 first-place votes and 464 points from a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Philadelphia's Ben Simmons was second with 15 first-place votes and 287 votes, while Draymond Green of Golden State was third with 76 points. Gobert was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019. Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace each won it four times and Dwight Howard three.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dwight Howard gushed over his first year in Philly, a train-of-thought review on his favorite cheesesteak spot and the dairy dessert the Sixers give away at home games, and he even hummed a few bars to the team’s theme song. Fun! But when the topic turned to Joel Embiid, Howard’s belief that the injured big man can play in Game 1 of Philadelphia's second-round playoff series against Atlanta brought the laughter to a halt. “He should be ready to go,” Howard said. Wait a minute, is the backup center — and one of the top rebounders in NBA history — really breaking news on Embiid’s status for Sunday's game against the Hawks. Pressed for the scoop that Embiid actually will play, Howard suddenly backtracked on his breaking news update. “Oh, nooooooo, you didn’t hear me say that one,” Howard said. “I expect him to be great when he plays. That’s all.” That’s all the Sixers expect, as well, but Embiid’s status remained unknown Saturday because of a cartilage tear in his right... [More]