Nets' Ben Simmons Says He Loves Boos from 76ers Fans: 'Comes with the Game'

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons says he is looking forward to hearing boos from Philadelphia 76ers fans during Friday night's game at the Wells Fargo Center.

"Yeah, I also love that too," Simmons said about fans booing, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. "I love being in arenas where it's loud and people are booing and all that stuff. So it comes with the game. It's a part of it. And I love it."

Simmons played four seasons for the Sixers before requesting a trade from the team in 2021. He sat out the 2021-22 season and was traded to the Nets in February 2022.

The Nets and Sixers tip off at 7 p.m. ET in Philadelphia.

In Simmons' last appearance at Wells Fargo Arena, a Nets victory on Feb. 13, fans booed the former Sixer whenever he touched the ball.

Simmons told reporters after the game that the booing was "funny to me."

"I got grown men, pissed off and yelling at me... it's funny. I enjoy that. It's not that deep," Simmons said last February. "It's sports, but it comes with it, so I enjoy it."

Simmons missed the end of the 2023-24 campaign due to back issues, and in March underwent his second back surgery in three years. Head coach Jordi Fernández told reporters ahead of the season that Simmons would not be playing in back-to-backs while managing the injury.

Accordingly, Simmons has sat out one half of three back-to-back sets so far this season. He was also sidelined for a Nov. 13 contest against the Boston Celtics with what the team reported was left calf tightness.

Through 11 games and nine starts Simmons is averaging 5.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 6.8 assists.

After falling out of the starting rotation amid his injury management and career-low production rate, Simmons slotted back in while filling in for injured center Nic Claxton.

He went on to record his strongest outing of the campaign on Tuesday while starting in NBA Cup play against the visiting Charlotte Hornets.

Simmons recorded 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, adding nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in the Nets' 116-115 win.

Claxton is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Sixers, so Simmons could be returning to a bench role tonight. He will still look to build on Tuesday's win as the Nets hope to improve their NBA Cup knockout-round chances with a group stage win on Friday night.