Ben Simmons to Play in Sixers' Las Vegas Summer League Finale

Ben Simmons will play once more.

After sitting the Sixers' last two Samsung NBA Summer League games for rest, Simmons will take the court tonight for the team's Las Vegas finale against the Heat at 8:30, a consolation game of the tournament.

Las Vegas summer league head coach Lloyd Pierce said the Sixers are being "smart and cautious" with the No. 1 overall pick, repeating that it's a long summer.

"We saw all that we needed," Pierce said after Thursday night's game. "We got him on the court. We got him with our guys. We know what our concerns and what his concerns are. We know what his strengths are, as well. He's going to add an unbelievable dimension to our team."

Including tonight, Simmons has played six of the team's nine games over both the Utah and Las Vegas summer leagues. He missed Game 2 in Utah after suffering from cramps in the opener.

Hall of Famer and current NBA analyst Isiah Thomas called out Simmons on NBATV for missing the Sixers' game Wednesday.

"You're 19,” Thomas said. “Earn your money, get on the floor and play.”

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Sixers head coach Brett Brown came to the defense of Simmons and the team's approach.

"There were some hits that he took, it's reckless and unfair," Brown said during Thursday's game. "He's a good kid and he's following instruction and we look forward very much to developing him.

"I think if there's any responsibility that I have — and our organization has — is to keep our players healthy.”

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