Ben Simmons on Friday added to his growing list of NBA lowlights with one of the worst layups fans have ever seen.
Simmons’ Brooklyn Nets trailed the Philadelphia 76ers 40-31 midway through the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa. After a Cam Johnson miss, Nets forward Jalen Wilson chased down an offensive rebound right at the edge of the sideline.
With the Sixers’ defense in disarray, Wilson passed to a wide-open Simmons calling for the ball underneath the basket. Simmons rose up for a layup and hit nothing but backboard on his uncontested attempt. It looks a lot worse than it sounds.
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) November 23, 2024
The shot looked extra awkward because Simmons took it with his off-hand. But there’s no justifying just how badly Simmons muffed the layup.
Simmons rushed the attempt like prime Dikembe Mutombo was breathing down his neck instead of 6’2″ Reggie Jackson and 6’6″ KJ Martin. The 6’10” Simmons had no reason to rush and could have easily dunked had he wanted to.
It was only fitting that Simmons’ latest mishap happened at Wells Fargo Center. The moment reminded several fans of the infamous layup Simmons passed up on against the Atlanta Hawks in Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals.
At least Ben Simmons shot it this time… pic.twitter.com/LmDVINtS70
— CogginToboggan (@CogginToboggan) November 23, 2024
Ben Simmons finally got over his fear of shooting layups
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 23, 2024
Unfortunately for Ben Simmons, there was no Matisse Thybulle to dump it off to here.#Sixerspic.twitter.com/SRWnJ4I3AC
— Jacob Moreno (@jmoreno76ers) November 23, 2024
In his return to Philadelphia, Simmons finished with just two points on 1/4 shooting with four rebounds and four assists in a 113-98 Nets loss.
The three-time All-Star has been brutal offensively this season. He entered Friday’s contest averaging a career-low 5.7 points on a measly 4.8 shot attempts per game. Simmons has scored 10 or more points just once this season.
