Ben Simmons has the best outing of his season as Nets thump Knicks

Ben Simmons has endured a tough return to the NBA, but on Thursday he had fans out of their seats with his display.

Ben is back. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Ben Simmons’ return to the hardwood was always going to take some time before he was back to his All-Star best.

On Thursday he showed glimpses of his otherworldly abilities as the Brooklyn Nets pummelled the New York Knicks in front of their home fans.

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After a dismal start to the season for both the Nets and Simmons, the team have bounced back to win three of their past four contests.

Simmons rebounded emphatically against the Knicks, to keep his unbeaten record against the team alive.

Coming off the bench and playing 24 minutes, Simmons ended the contest with a modest stat line of six points, nine rebounds and four assists.

But he displayed glimpses that his athletic ability was slowly starting to get back to when he was considered among the best in the league.

Playing as the Nets back-up centre, Simmons ran the Knicks off their feet and left fans watching on jumping out of their seats with his plays.

NewsHouse journalist Alec Sturm wrote: “I think it’s safe to say this is the best we’ve seen Ben Simmons play at centre. Still a long way to go, but he showed promise in his new role as backup C.”

Nets Daily reporter Matt Brooks wrote: “Between that put back dunk and the steal against Julius Randle in the first half, this is probably the best Ben Simmons has looked physically this season.”

Simmons flashed from behind Knicks big man Julius Randle and tipped the ball away, setting the Nets up on a fast break.

Ben Simmons getting his speed back 👀 pic.twitter.com/mLqzGFfsOk

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) November 10, 2022

But it was in the third quarter when Simmons sent the Barclays Center wild as he rose up following a Kevin Durant miss and threw down the put back dunk.

BEN SIMMONS. pic.twitter.com/OWdUFmKgH3

— DraftKings (@DraftKings) November 10, 2022

The Nets ran away to claim the 112-85 victory mainly thanks to Durant leading the charge with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.

Still without Kyrie Irving in the line-up after he was suspended for five games, the Nets have emphatically put the early season nightmare behind them and are slowly climbing the Eastern Conference standings.

They’ll return to action on Sunday when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers at 8am (AEDT).

Originally published as Ben Simmons has the best outing of his season as Nets thump Knicks