Ben Simmons Ejected From Nets’ Loss

Rookie of the Year award winner Ben Simmons attends the 2018 NBA Awards
Rookie of the Year award winner Ben Simmons attends the 2018 NBA Awards. Photo by Chris Chew/UPI/Shutterstock (12595254an)

The Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons has continued his less-than-promising return to the court on Thursday night when he was ejected from the Nets’ 117-112 loss to the Phoenix Suns after just 18 minutes.

Having missed out on 11 games so far this season due to injury setbacks, Simmons was ejected due to arguing with referee Eric Lewis. With just 8:47 left in the third quarter, Simmons was called out by Lewis for what was his fifth foul of the game.

Nets coach Jacque Vaughn expressed his concerns over Simmons’ conduct during the game as well as his struggle to recover his form. “We need him to be productive, and that is without the fouls,” Vaughn explained. “That is helping us rebound the basketball. That is playing with poise and composure. That is pushing the pace for us.”

When questioned about his on-court antics, Simmons refused to go into detail, instead choosing to remain silent out of fear of picking up a fine. So far this season, Simmons has averaged 7.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.3 assists.