Ben Simmons spectacular once more in Nets’ preseason victory

Ben Simmons had one other encouraging outing on Thursday evening within the Nets’ second preseason sport.

He ran the purpose once more in a 135-103 win over Maccabi Ra’anana at Barclays Middle and seemed clean, with an early steal and slam and handed out a team-high 9 assists.

Simmons is seeking to show he’s wholesome after being shut down for the second half of final season with a sore left knee and a nerve harm in his again.

“I really feel good and every day I’m getting higher,’’ Simmons stated after scoring six factors and grabbing six rebounds in 21:55. “I’m attempting to get some rhythm with this workforce, simply play the sport and skim every thing that’s happening.”

He’s impressed his coach.

“As he continues to stack days and video games collectively, then his instinctive nature comes out,’’ coach Jacque Vaughn stated.

Dennis Smith Jr. left Thursday’s sport with a sprained left ankle and didn’t return.

Vaughn stated X-rays have been destructive, however he’ll get additional testing on Friday.

Smith handled points with that ankle final season throughout an in any other case strong bounce-back season with Charlotte earlier than the 27-year-old signed with the Nets within the offseason.

Lonnie Walker IV left with a wrist contusion and is day-to-day.

Nic Claxton sat out Thursday’s sport with what Vaughn known as a “sore glute.”

Vaughn added the workforce doesn’t consider the harm will maintain Claxton out lengthy.

Additionally out on Thursday have been Day’Ron Sharpe, nonetheless nursing the sprained left ankle he suffered towards the Lakers and Cam Johnson, bothered by a hamstring harm.

With Claxton out, Harry Giles received the beginning at middle and scored 16 factors and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Vaughn stated Giles and different frontcourt gamers attempting to earn a roster spot like Trendon Watford and Darius Bazley would get important taking part in time.

“I consider in giving guys an opportunity to indicate how they will influence the workforce,’’ Vaughn stated.

The coach pointed to Giles’ physicality and athleticism and the truth that the 6-foot-9 Watford might play level guard if needed.

And Bazley’s “size, athleticism and talent to get downhill” made him helpful.

Mikal Bridges obtained loads of preseason accolades within the annual preseason NBA GM survey, getting votes in classes that included prime perimeter defenders, transferring with out the ball and probably to have a breakout season.

The Nets’ guard took all of it in stride earlier than the sport.

“It’s good [and] I recognize it, however it doesn’t imply [anything] to me,’’ Bridges stated. “There’s nonetheless numerous work to be executed. That was going off final yr and this can be a entire new yr. I’ve received to be higher.”

Bridges thrived with the Nets after coming from Phoenix within the commerce that despatched Kevin Durant to the Suns.

In 27 video games with the Nets, Bridges scored 26.1 factors per sport, practically double his profession mark of 13.1.

And the opposite features of his sport didn’t endure due to his added manufacturing on offense.

Given his recognition by the NBA GMs, neither did Bridges’ protection.

His objective, although, isn’t about private achievements.

“Simply construct as a participant and construct a tradition and attempt to win video games,’’ Bridges stated of his mindset for the upcoming season. “That’s the most important factor: are available right here and win as many video games as we will.”