LAS VEGAS — Wonder what Isiah Thomas would say now.
The Sixers are resting Ben Simmons for the second straight night. After missing Wednesday night's game (pre-scheduled rest) against the the minor leaguers (D-League Select), Simmons will not play tonight against the Nets for rest.
"It's a long summer," Sixers Samsung NBA Summer League head coach Lloyd Pierce said Wednesday. "He's played in both summer leagues. We weren't going to play him full capacity regardless."
Tonight will be the Sixers’ eighth summer league game overall. Simmons has missed three, as he was sidelined for the team’s second game in Utah summer league after suffering cramps in the opener.
Thomas, a Hall of Famer and now NBA analyst, blasted Simmons Wednesday night on NBATV after getting word Simmons was sitting for rest.
"You're 19,” Thomas said, via FOXSports.com. “Earn your money, get on the floor and play.”
Without Simmons, expect to see a larger role from summer league players. On Wednesday, Shawn Long led all players with 21 points off the bench and starting guard Brandon Paul scored 20. Six players logged more than 20 minutes.
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If the 22nd-seeded Sixers beat the sixth-seeded Nets, they will move on to the next round of the tournament and play on Saturday at 10 p.m. If they lose to the Nets, they will play Friday at 8:30 p.m.
