The 76ers were defeated by the Celtics in the second round of the playoffs, losing in Game 7 in what was ultimately a blowout.
It seems ex-Sixers guard Ben Simmons, who left the team on bad terms when he was traded to the Nets in February 2022, was tuned into the game, and he didn’t waste his opportunity to have a laugh at the expense of his former team.
Simmons posted a story to his Instagram account in which he showed Boston and Philadelphia’s Game 7 clash on the TV in the background late into the fourth quarter. At that point, the Celtics had all but sealed their victory, and it appeared Simmons was enjoying the moment with a glass of red wine.
Ben Simmons was watching the game. pic.twitter.com/6k2jMV38Ws
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 14, 2023
At the time of the photo, the Celtics were holding a 30-point lead over the Sixers, 108-78. They ended up winning the game 112-88, to clinching a berth in the Eastern Conference finals, where they’ll face the Heat.
Simmons was sidelined for much of the season while dealing with a back injury. He appeared in 42 games for the Nets this season, averaging 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists. Brooklyn was swept by the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs, although Simmons wasn’t active during the series.
Despite a down season from the 26-year-old, Simmons couldn’t help but take a subtle jab at his former team.
Hell he’s been watching games all season long. What else is new https://t.co/zxpZEcqQdL
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 14, 2023
Simmons’s antics didn’t go unnoticed on social media, however. ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins came off the bench and trolled the Nets guard with a pointed response of his own, suggesting Simmons has been watching games from home all year long.
