Ben Simmons records first double-double in over 600 days as he shows he’s back

Ben Simmons has put his critics in the rearview mirror with a stunning display that had basketball fans salivating.

Guess who’s back. John Fisher/Getty Images/AFP

Ben Simmons showed signs his All Star level of play could be returning after producing comfortably his best outing in a Brooklyn Nets jersey.

Simmons has endured a tough start to the 2022/23 season, but put the critics in their place against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

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The Nets scored a 109-107 victory thanks to Royce O’Neale’s tip-in with 0.7 seconds left on the clock with Simmons drawing praise from teammate Kevin Durant.

Durant led the charge with 35 points, but it was Simmons’ 15 point, 13 rebound and seven assist outing that had the world talking.

“He was incredible tonight,” Durant said about Simmons. “I thought he did a good job of commanding the offence, commanding the team on the defensive side of the ball. He was able to control the game and get us back into it.”

Simmons had failed to crack double digit scoring through his first nine-games, but made it two straight after an 11 point outing against the Sacramento Kings.

The double-double is Simmons’ first in over 600 days and his impressive display drew widespread praise among the NBA community.

NBA star turned analyst Kenny Smith wrote: “Gonna say it … Ben Simmons has turned the corner … looking like Ben of old.”

NBA journalist Sean Highkin wrote: “This is the best Ben Simmons has looked in a long time.”

Veteran broadcaster Skip Bayless said: “Yesterday I sat here and wrote off Ben Simmons. But last night I couldn’t stop watching this game because of Ben and what he did in the 4th quarter.”

Prime Ben Simmons back after last night 👀👀 that euro was 😳😳

— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) November 18, 2022

Ben Simmons was a massive difference maker tonight. On both ends.

— Ryan Ruocco (@RyanRuocco) November 18, 2022

Ben Simmons was huge tonight for the Nets 😤💪🏼

15 PTS | 6-6 FG | 13 REB | 7 AST pic.twitter.com/PyaRg7a9cK

— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 18, 2022

Questions had been raised over the mental aspect of Simmons’ game with many believing the Aussie was afraid of driving into the paint and getting fouled.

Against the Blazers he didn’t shy away from the contact and delivered when his team needed him the most from the free throw line.

He knocked down three of four free throw attempts down the stretch, an area he’s long struggled in.

“I love those moments,” Simmons said. “I’m not going to shy away. That was their plan. Obviously, it didn’t work. We were able to convert a couple free throws, get some stops. Just keep building. I like those moments.”

Throw it down Ben. Steph Chambers/Getty Images/AFP

The much needed victory puts the Nets at 7-9 on the season and has them sitting in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.

Nets coach Jacque Vaughn was overjoyed with what he had seen from his team, but more so with Simmons’ performance.

“It’s very encouraging,” Vaughn said.

“Most minutes he’s played, really responded well. … Kind of what we envisioned him doing everything for us. The defensive versatility of guarding [Jusuf] Nurkic and also Damian Lillard. A lot of people can’t do that. And we can continue to grow with him and understand him, his game, how he benefits, with who. It’s very encouraging.”