NBA News: Nets suffer sixth loss after Ben Simmons leaves with sore knee

The Brooklyn Nets found themselves at a breaking point after suffering a 130-122 loss against the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, their sixth loss out of eight games this season. Tensions rose against point guard Ben Simmons, who left mid-way into the game with knee soreness.

The Pistons game was the second time Simmons backed out of the second half of a game this season. The Australian point guard has missed 11 games in the season due to his sore knee, calf problems, and lower back pains.

As a result, Simmons put in a lackluster performance before he left, scoring no points and a 0-3 shooting board, only managing seven assists, one rebound and one steal.

Coach’s frustrations

Nets coach Jacques Vaugn appeared frustrated with the Australian when he left, apparently rolling his eyes while speaking on Simmons’ early exit.

“I think the goal in my eyes is for everyone to play every game and to do what’s necessary to be prepared to play every game,” Vaughn said when asked to comment on Simmons’ exit.

“There’s a certain amount of minutes that each individual played in Philly. Some played equally tonight. So the preparation that it takes going into that, you just have to give credit to the guys who were prepared to play, ready to play, did what was necessary to get their bodies ready to play.”

Jacques Vaugn, Brooklyn Nets coach

The Nets began suffering losses after losing their star forward Kevin Durant due to a sprained medial collateral ligament on his right knee. Analysts predicted that the forward may not return in the next two weeks.

With Simmons’ injuries and several other key players backing out, prospects for the Nets’ next game against the New York Knicks become increasingly challenging.

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Star team in distress

Simmons’ recent history of knee injury became a cause for concern for the Nets. On Wednesday, the point guard went to the bench in the fourth quarter of a losing game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Vaughn said that Simmons failed to play with enough aggression in the offense.

The point guard’s mediocre performance contrasts with his initial worth as a member of the Nets’ three-star team, along with Durant and star point guard Kyrie Irving. Simmons is the second highest-valued player on the team, earning $35.45 million this year and is projected to earn $40 million in the next two years.

His recent performance has called his worth into question, with sports analyst John Hollinger claiming that he was being paid “roughly three times what he’s worth.”

Despite their best efforts, Irving and Simmons are struggling to manage the court without Durant. Irving was able to carry the team by scoring 40 points, six assists and five rebounds, placing the game as his fifth attempt to score more than 30 points.

It wasn’t enough, despite Detroit’s terrible reputation as the worst record in the Eastern Conference, the Nets’ home turf.

“I can’t control everyone’s emotions day to day as much as I see myself as one of the leaders of our team. But what I can show is just a consistency to continue to work on off days and after the games and before the games and just continue to prepare at a very high level,” Irving said in a post-game interview.

As pressure mounts for the Nets, analysts speculated that the team may look for upgrades in the stretch run of the season. Lesser role players such as Joe Harris and Seth Curry may be open for trade in the next half.