Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash confirmed Shams Charania's report that Ben Simmons will travel with the team and attend Thursday's game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Nash, according to Brian Lewis of the NY Post, says Simmons is fully aware of the vicious reaction he will receive from the crowd adding that it is good for him.
There will be additional security around the Nets bench on Thursday, according to CBS3's Pat Gallen.
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After Monday's win over the Bulls, Sixers' head coach Doc Rivers was asked if he thinks the organization should play a tribute video for Simmons.
"That's a loaded question. Yeah, I do actually," Rivers told the media. "Ben did a lot of good things here, you know? It didn't end well. Just like marriages and all kinds of other things don't end well, right? Ben did a lot of good things here. I don't know if we are or not, but if we did I'd have no issues with it."
The follow up question was about the atmosphere in the building.
"Are fans are so silent, so I can't imagine anything happening," Rivers joked.
Simmons continues to rehab a sore back and is reportedly working toward a return to the court later this month.
The last time Simmons played at the Wells Fargo Center was the last time he played in a professional basketball, on June 20th, 2021, as the Sixers were eliminated by the Atlanta Hawks in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Simmons demanded a trade from Philadelphia after struggling in the final four games of the series and sat out the entire 2021-22 season.
Last month, Simmons addressed the media as a new member of the Nets. It was his first time speaking publicly since June 20th, 2021 and Simmons explained that his mental health, as well as personal issues, were reasons why he needed a change of scenery.
“I've had some dark times over these last six months, and I’m just happy to be in this situation with this team and this organization," Simmons told the media on February 15th. "People are gonna say what they want…people are always gonna have their own opinions.”
Simmons, 25, was the first overall pick of the 76ers in 2016 and has put together many productive seasons in Philly, reaching three All-Star games and two All-NBA first-team defensive teams. In 2018, Simmons won the Rookie of the Year amazing missing his first season with a foot injury and in 2020 Simmons led the NBA in steals, finishing as the defensive player of the year runner up to Rudy Gobert.
Simmons averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.7 steals in four seasons with Philadelphia across 275 games.