NBA scores, Brooklyn defeated by New Orleans: Ben Simmons fouls out in Nets debut, score, Australians

The Australian, in his first official recreation in 18 months, fouled out one-minute into the fourth quarter of the Nets’ 130-108 hammering by the hands of New Orleans.

Simmons — an elite defender — was abused by monstrous New Orleans’ star Zion Williamson and, whereas the Nets couldn’t hit water in an ocean, the previous taking pictures nugget reared its ugly head once more because the Pelicans’ sagged off and dared the Aussie to shoot.

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As has so typically been the norm, he refused to take action, making the Nets’ first bucket of the sport on a straightforward dunk after which ready till the fourth quarter to take one other discipline purpose.

When he was whistled for his sixth foul, 59 seconds into the final, Simmons sat for good with 4 factors, 5 assists and 5 rebounds in 23 minutes.

He roared “F—” because the whistle blew and, put up recreation, mentioned: “I’ve received to tone it down, I really feel like I’m being a bit of too bodily, perhaps I’m simply excited, my first recreation.”

“I’m making an attempt to set a tone inside our workforce and be that bodily man,” Simmons, who earlier this yr had surgical procedure to repair a herniated disc in his lumbar backbone, mentioned.

“I perceive and settle for that accountability for this workforce. It’s not going to occur in a single day however regularly constructing in the direction of that.

“I used to be simply too excited nevertheless it was simply nice to be on the market. It was good to get that one out of the way in which.”

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Kyrie Irving, who made simply six of his 19 photographs, revealed post-game he had spoken to Simmons concerning the significance of the Aussie avoiding foul bother.

“We informed him within the locker room, he’s a invaluable piece for us and we want him on the market and fouling out just isn’t an possibility,” Irving mentioned.

“Taking part in aggressive is one thing that we wish him to do, however we additionally need him to play sensible.”

Nets coach Steve Nash mentioned Simmons was “rusty” however was ready to provide him time to search out his toes.

“The man hasn’t performed for over a yr,” Nash mentioned, put up recreation.

“This can be a course of for Ben. He’s proven glimpses of the participant we all know he’s and could be nevertheless it’s not straightforward.

“We’re right here to assist him, we’re right here to push him, coach him up and attempt to get him to a spot the place he can play at a degree he’s performed at previously.

“There’s loads on his plate

“So long as he continues to construct his confidence and play onerous and play with drive, we’re effective with him making errors as he grows into this.”

Simmons mentioned in a pre-game interview “we’re able to go” — the Nets have been something however, falling behind 7-0 early as a haze from the pre-game pyrotechnics enveloped the court docket.

The Pelicans streaked out to a 32-14 quarter-time lead because the Nets turned it over 9 occasions. The web Simmons slander started instantly and solely received proverbially louder as he clunked two free throws within the second quarter.

The Nets fought again earlier than halftime due to Kevin Durant (32 factors), however that was their solely yelp as Brandon Ingram (28 factors), Williamson (25) and CJ McCollum (21) picked them aside.

In higher information for the Aussie contingent, Patty Mills did his finest to assist the Nets with a typical 16-point efficiency off the bench that featured 4 makes from deep, whereas Bendigo boy Dyson Daniels received his first style of the NBA for the Pelicans with a few minutes to go within the recreation.

Famous ESPN hot-take mouthpiece Stephen A Smith, pregame, squealed the Nets would make the NBA Finals.

It’s truthful to say the Nets have an extended technique to go on their opening evening efficiency.

It’s the oldest sports activities line within the ebook, however expertise alone received’t win you a championship.

In Minnesota, Josh Giddey’s sophomore season received off to a dropping begin, however the Aussie child nonetheless introduced the wow issue with a few insane passes, one on an inbounds play simply after halftime that solely a uncommon few may have pulled off.

Giddey completed the season-opener with a double-double — 14 factors and 11 rebounds — including 4 assists and two blocks, but in addition coughed it up 4 occasions as Rudy Gobert produced a dominant 23-point, 16-rebound Wolves debut as Minnesota ran away from Oklahoma Metropolis with a 115-108 win.

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FULL-TIME: OKC 108-115 WOLVES

Josh Giddey produced a few particular moments — together with the one under — however Minnesota was adequate to carry off a decided Oklahoma Metropolis fightback. Giddey started his second NBA season with a double-double — 14 factors with 11 rebounds — including 4 assists and two blocks, but in addition coughed it up 4 occasions as Rudy Gobert produced a dominant 23-point, 16-rebound Wolves debut.

FULL-TIME: NETS 108-130 PELICANS

Properly, that was ugly. Kevin Durant had an enormous recreation with 32 factors, however the Nets have been no match for the Pelicans three-headed monster of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum. All three had at the very least 21 factors within the drubbing, and poor previous Ben Simmons’ begin in Brooklyn couldn’t get any worse. Fouled out in 23 minutes with simply 4 factors. Yikes. On a constructive notice, Patty Mills did his finest with 4 three tips on his technique to 16 factors, whereas Dyson Daniels made his first NBA look late for the Pelicans.

This fall: 1.30 – NETS 106-125PELS

Bendigo boy Dyson Daniels makes his NBA debut!

This fall: 9.01 – NETS 83-106 PELICANS

Ben Simmons has fouled out lower than one minute into the fourth quarter of his Nets debut. Remaining line: 4 factors, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, six fouls …

Q3: 4.25 – THUNDER 72-76 TIMBERWOLVES

Aussie level guard Josh Giddey and Oklahoma Metropolis are attempting to spark a comeback towards Minnesota. The Thunder have been horrible within the first quarter and located themselves down 13 on the lengthy break, however have lifted within the third to scale back the margin to a single bucket. Giddey, in his second season, has 9 factors, 5 rebounds and three assists, however has turned the ball over 4 occasions. Rudy Gobert has loved a powerful debut for the Timberwolves following his high-profile low season commerce from Utah. He’s received 14 factors and 11 boards.

3QT – NETS 78-98 PELS

It’s gone from advert to worse for Ben Simmons and the Nets. Any good work Kevin Durant did within the second has been spectacularly undone by a workforce efficiency that has been disjointed and careless. Ben’s been rooted to the bench for a lot of the third quarter after choosing up his fourth and fifth fouls early. He solely has yet one more, now, making defending Zion Williamson a lot more durable. He’s performed 20 minutes and nonetheless hasn’t tried a shot for the reason that opening moments of the primary quarter. One shot, two factors, 5 assists, 5 rebounds and 5 fouls. Fellow Aussie Patty Mills is as much as 13 factors, he’s been a activate the bench behind Kevin Durant’s 27. The Pels have 5 guys in double digits, with Brandon Ingram breaking the Nets down with 23 and Williamson has 22.

HT – NETS 50-58 PELS

A lot better from the Nets within the second. The taking pictures share lifted a bit of and Kevin Durant has received going — 21 factors on the half to scale back the result in single digits. With Kyrie Irving 2-9, the offence has been KD or bust, nevertheless it’s labored. So far as Ben goes, Zion remains to be making an attempt to barrel into his chest and the net slander has hit fever pitch after he clunked a pair of free throws. They weren’t fairly. He’s received 2 factors on one shot and three fouls at halftime, so he’ll should watch out after the lengthy break. Patty Mills banged in a three-pointer to take his tally to 5 off the bench. Jonas Valanciunas and Williamson are nonetheless monstering Brooklyn on the within — it’s going to be an issue all season.

QT – NETS 14-32 – PELS

Ben and the Nets may need a mulligan on that first quarter. All eight gamers to step on the court docket have scored for the Pelicans, led by Zion Williamson with eight. The Nets are a woeful 6-20 from the sphere, they’ve turned it over 9 occasions and Simmons is a putrid -18 — Zion is mauling him. Fellow Aussie Patty Mills has two factors off the bench. No signal of Dyson Daniels for the Pelicans but. Early pains for the Nets. Can they flip it round?

5.31 – NETS 4-20 PELS

The place there’s smoke … The Nets and Pelicans performed the primary three minutes of the sport in a haze from all of the pre-game pyrotechnics. Whether or not that affected the Nets is debatable — that is about as ugly because it will get. Seven turnovers and so they’re down 14 already. About the one constructive was Ben Simmons flushing Brooklyn’s first bucket of the 2022 season with a nifty two-handed jam off an alley-oop, following a heads up defensive play from Kyrie Irving. Zion Williamson already an issue for the Nets — they’re making an attempt to take it inside as a lot as attainable.

Initially printed as NBA stay: Ben Simmons fouls out in Brooklyn debut as Nets hammered by New Orleans