Ben Simmons

The Nets went just 8-19 in games without Kevin Durant last season. So with Brooklyn's MVP out after suffering a knee injury in their last game against the ...

And while it's reasonable to see why Vaughn valued the likes of Curry, Warren, O'Neale and Harris when trying to spark a comeback, it's sad that Simmons' complete inability to pose any scoring threat amounts to being benched in a game they're already without their best player. He assisted on seven of Brooklyn's nine made field goals in the first quarter and finished with a season-high 13 assists. For a player who already lacks aggression, doesn't look to score and avoids the foul line like the plague, foul trouble only exacerbates his biggest flaws. Though starting to find his groove with a steady dose of timely playmaking and rangy defense, the three-time All-Star is still finding his way offensively. So with Brooklyn's MVP out after suffering a knee injury in their last game against the Heat, the Nets entered their highly anticipated showdown with the Celtics searching for answers. [Vote now for the 2023 All-Star starters!](https://vote.nba.com/en?Is=nba%3Avote%3Aown%3Adig%3Asite%3Acanada%3Aallstar%3Aasv%3Aeng%3At-cont%3Au-glo%3Au-en%3A&%24web_only=true&_branch_match_id=1096824140224923249&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXTywo0MvJzMvWy0tK1EvOz9VP1XcpTsxO9clJCi1LAgBBWzI8JgAAAA%3D%3D)

Which puts him in a rare, if somewhat dubious statistical club as one of just 18 players in NBA history to record at least 13 assists without scoring a point, ...

Even if you shave the assist marker to 10, still only six players have authored a 0-10-9 line: Van Lier and Satoransky, Jason Kidd, Scottie Pippen, [Josh Giddey](/nba/players/26646085/josh-giddey/) and now Simmons. [Brooklyn Nets](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/BKN/brooklyn-nets/), no one player can replace the production of [Kevin Durant](/nba/players/1231866/kevin-durant/), who is [reportedly out for the next month](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kevin-durant-injury-update-nets-star-has-sprained-mcl-in-right-knee-expected-to-miss-a-month-per-report/), maybe more, with a sprained MCL. [NBA](/nba/) history to record at least 13 assists without scoring a point, per Basketball Reference.

'100 per cent disagree': Simmons puts on 'masterclass' as legends clash over Aussie.

“I think I’ve given the ball away too many times. Simmons defensive efforts were also on display as he helped keep Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum to just 20 points. “Being assertive, being aggressive and knowing my team needs that,” he said. “But he needs to look at the rim more. “I think there’s such a misconception at times about scoring,” he said. I’d say half his assists have come on the break,” he said.

Nets star Ben Simmons had a strange game on Thursday, nearly recording a double-double while scoring no points.

“Noticed in TNT pregame that the Nets recreate real-game situations with Ben Simmons not shooting in the lay-up line.” Durant’s scoring will be hard to make up. [January 13, 2023] In some respects, [Simmons](https://thecomeback.com/tag/ben-simmons) had a fantastic game in defeat. [Nets](https://thecomeback.com/tag/brooklyn-nets) lost, 109-88. But in their most recent game, [Kevin Durant](https://thecomeback.com/tag/kevin-durant) sustained an injury that will sideline him [for several weeks](https://thecomeback.com/nba/kevin-durant-injury-out-month.html).

Before Thursday's game, coach Jacque Vaughn said he was not going to ask Ben Simmons to score any more with Kevin Durant sidelined.

Nic Claxton came into the day listed as questionable for the game because of left shoulder impingement, but he remained in the starting lineup and recorded nine points, nine rebounds and four blocks. “Love the contributions with the assists piece of it,” Vaughn said. “And that’s also going to help my teammates and get them going.” Simmons entered the night averaging only 7.7 points on six field-goal attempts per game this season. “Just pushing the ball, finding my guys, probably found them too much,” Simmons said. 28 game when he played 11 minutes against the Magic before leaving with an injury.

Finding a formula to win without Durant wasn't going to be immediate. There's no algorithm to replace an all-time great.

“I’m taking that on my responsibility that you’ve got juice coming into the game, now you’ve got to play with that juice. Vaughn said the Nets’ first step to determine what works and what doesn’t has to start with effort. Ben’s got to be able to be a force for us on the defensive end of the floor so that we can play small, play three guards out there so we can have shooting around him. It was a summation of the Nets’ evening, off balance on both ends of the floor in their first game without Durant, who has the rare ability to stabilize both. [Nets’](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/nets/) 109-98 loss to the [Celtics](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/celtics/). When [Jayson Tatum](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/jayson-tatum-3O7MInr4zV5KKhZ5/) went to the bench for his first rest, Vaughn immediately pulled Simmons in place of Curry to pair him with Irving. So we just have to be efficient with the basketball and value possessions that we do get to do the little things. We’ve got to be more up to having force on the defensive end of the floor and then hopefully we can make some shots.” Simmons’ pace and playmaking combined with the shotmaking of Curry, Harris, Warren and Irving kept the game competitive for the first three quarters. Warren scored seven quick points to keep the Nets in lockstep with the Celtics, who were without Warren](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/tj-warren-te6am5kOZ0yFvULt/) scored 20 points off the bench, reaching the mark for the second time this season, and [Joe Harris](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/joe-harris-QESU2aIXmpGRn50l/) had a season-high 18 points. And now we just have to find a balance within the structure of this team that we have right now without Kev.

Which puts him in a rare, if somewhat dubious statistical club as one of just 18 players in NBA history to record at least 13 assists without scoring a point, ...

Even if you shave the assist marker to 10, still only six players have authored a 0-10-9 line: Van Lier and Satoransky, Jason Kidd, Scottie Pippen, [Josh Giddey](/nba/players/26646085/josh-giddey/) and now Simmons. [Brooklyn Nets](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/BKN/brooklyn-nets/), no one player can replace the production of [Kevin Durant](/nba/players/1231866/kevin-durant/), who is [reportedly out for the next month](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kevin-durant-injury-update-nets-star-has-sprained-mcl-in-right-knee-expected-to-miss-a-month-per-report/), maybe more, with a sprained MCL. [NBA](/nba/) history to record at least 13 assists without scoring a point, per Basketball Reference.

The Ben Simmons era is back in Brooklyn, but one NBA legend isn't happy with him.

“I think I’ve given the ball away too many times. Despite the backlash to his scoring, Simmons’ wizardry with the ball in hand left those watching on in disbelief. Simmons addressed his lack of offensive output post-game and said he needs to remain aggressive for the team. Simmons entered the halftime break with 10 assists to his name as he picked apart the Celtics defence, but it was his 0-1 shooting that had former players questioning his impact. “But he needs to look at the rim more. Ben Simmons left fans watching on in awe as he tore the court apart on Friday as he joined a bizarre piece of the record books.

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons said that playing well is something that he needs to do for the team while Kevin Durant is out.

As has been the case with Simmons the past few seasons, he can do anything else on the basketball court except score, or even attempt to score rather. Ever since Simmons was traded to Brooklyn for James Harden, the two players will forever be linked by the theme of being disgruntled players who wanted out. One thing that can’t be debated is that whatever team he’s on, he has to produce if that team has any hopes of winning a championship.

Nets forward Ben Simmons acknowledges he was too passive on the offensive side of the ball in Thursday's loss to the Celtics, and the team will need him ...

Ever since Simmons was traded to Brooklyn for James Harden, the two players will forever be linked by the theme of being disgruntled players who wanted out.

Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley didn't hold back in their criticism of Ben Simmons after he scored zero points in the Nets' loss to the Celtics on ...