Ben Simmons blows up after latest nightmare outing for the Nets

Ben Simmons’ seasons is off to a nightmare start with the Aussie star blowing up at the officials after a contentious call.

Ben Simmons’ nightmare continues. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Ben Simmons’ first three games as a member of the Brooklyn Nets have been ones to forget for the Aussie star.

The Nets find themselves 1-2 in the early going of the season with a close win over the Toronto Raptors their only taste of success.

Watch an average of 9 LIVE NBA Regular Season games per week on ESPN on Kayo Sports on ESPN on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

But it’s Simmons who has captured the limelight after an off-season dominated by his teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Simmons suited up for his first game in over a year and the rust is well and truly showing on the court.

Against the Memphis Grizzlies, Simmons’ nightmare start to the season reached an greater low after he fouled out for the second straight game.

The All-Star guard was all but invisible against the Grizzlies after ending the game with seven points, eight rebounds and six fouls.

Simmons’ season totals sit at a horror 17 points while racking up 14 fouls during his 83 minutes of game time.

Even more damning is the fact that the normally defensive beast has failed to contribute on the defensive end, with the Nets being outscored by 45 points throughout his playing time.

Simmons wasn’t able to slow down the offensive onslaught from Grizzlies duo Ja Morant and Desmond Bane who combined for 76 points.

Simmons couldn’t get it going. Justin Ford/Getty Images/AFP

For Simmons it was the final foul of the game that left him seeing red.

Morant let the ball roll up the court into the frontcourt as Simmons sat back allowing him to do so as time wound down on the game clock.

Morant waited until he was in his own half before picking the ball up and then baiting Simmons into his sixth and final foul.

“It wasn’t a foul. He called it a foul, made a mistake. It is what it is,” Simmons said.

“Really frustrating. But all I can do now is support my team from the bench. But f*** yeah it’s frustrating. It’s not a foul. That was bullsh*t. It’s frustrating because it’s a late game, it’s fourth quarter, it’s a physical close game.

“It’s the NBA. This is not college. It’s not high school. Some people are going to get hit, some people will bleed. It’s basketball.”

Ja Morant baited Simmons into fouling out🤣pic.twitter.com/8ZZ0Hdrneq

— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) October 25, 2022

Morant was asked about the final play and said it stemmed from a play back in his rookie season against Simmons.

“My rookie year it was in Philly, the same situation happened like that vs. Ben. In the first half I went to look at coach to get the ball and he ran through the ball, got the steal and went and dunked. I knew it at that moment, I was rolling the ball and I looked at coach and I see try to look like, ‘oh yeah.’ So I knew I had him. He was gonna press up and I was gonna force the ref to make the call.”