Jan 20, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) practices free throws prior to a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Brooklyn Nets at Utah Jazz
NEW YORK — Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is praising Ben Simmons.
Mazzulla was asked prior to the Celtics Saturday matchup with the Nets about Simmons resurgence early on in the season.
His response? Rather flattering.
“He kind of knows what he is and what he’s doing. He’s back to making those plays in transition, finding those cross-matches and getting those transition flips, DHOs, outlet passes… You can kind of tell he’s getting back to who he is as far as how he can generate offense for his teammates.”
The Nets ruled out Simmons Saturday on the back end of a back-to-back – calling his absence “back – injury maintenance”.
The decision to rest the three-time All-Star shouldn’t come as a surprise after an injury-riddled 2022-23 season held him to just 42 games.
“It’s just injury maintenance for us,” head coach Jacque Vaughn said. “Overall, just assessing where we are this time of the season, with it being a back-to-back. I’m not saying this will continue, but the maintenance is a part of his progression right now for this part of the season.”
Simmons has been productive through the first five games, averaging 7.4 points, 10.0 rebounds (14th in NBA), and 7.2 assists (11th in NBA).
The 27-year-old likely will return on Monday when the Nets host the Milwaukke Bucks.
