Sixers roll over Oklahoma City Thunder as Ben Simmons returns

So just how much did the 76ers miss Ben Simmons?

“Oh, we missed him a ton,” coach Doc Rivers said before Monday night’s 121-90 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Wells Fargo Center.

He even joked with another NBA coach about the four games Simmons was sidelined with was diagnosed as a viral illness. The Sixers lost all of those games.

“He called me and said, ‘If anyone ever asked you again about how important Ben is on offense, just show them the last four games,’” Rivers said. “And to me, we talk about his defense, especially probably against Milwaukee, it’s probably more pronounced.

“But where we missed him the most was offensively.”

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A lot of the three-pointers the Sixers attempt and make are a result of Simmons’ finding teammates. Nor did the Sixers play at the pace they’re accustomed to when the three-time All-Star sat out.

The improved pace and three-pointers were noticeable early on in Monday’s game. The 24-year-old also moved better than he had before missing the four games.

“I’m all for it,” Rivers said of Simmons moving better. “You know, whatever is the way I look at it. But he did. He had great energy, great pace. Yeah, it’s Ben, Ben, Ben.”

Simmons finished with 12 points on 6-for-8 shooting to go with three rebounds, four assists, three steals, two blocks, and two turnovers in 22 minutes, 37 seconds. None of the Sixers starters played in the fourth quarter.

Simmons acknowledged that people focusing on his scoring instead of all the things he brings offensively has bothered him in the past.

“At times, it probably did because I was probably too focused on what other people were thinking,” he said. “But I know what my value is to this team. I know that I’m a huge part of this team. And if you know basketball, you see it when I’m out. It is what it is.

“Everyone plays their role, and I’m playing my role right now. I’m trying to win.”

Talking about his illness, Simmons said the doctors told him it would take a few days to get over it.

“So I’m thankful I’m back out here playing,” said Simmons, who looked good in a Sunday workout and during Monday morning’s shootaround.

He was happy to be back on the court playing with his teammates again. While sidelined, Simmons’ biggest worry was his cardio. As a result, he did some sessions on his Peloton. However, his cardio wasn’t a problem on Monday.

However, Simmons said it was definitely frustrating to not be with his teammates during the road games they lost to the Bucks on Thursday and Saturday.

“Those two games are important,” he said. “So for me, I’m glad I’m back now. We have a few games left to really get that first seed. So you know, I think we can do it. If everyone is healthy and able to play, I think we are able to get that.

“So looking forward, we have to take control and get that first seed.”

The Eastern Conference’s second-place Sixers improved to 40-21 and are a game behind the first-place Brooklyn Nets with 11 games remaining.

A lot of the Sixers’ success will depend of how Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Tobias Harris play.

Embiid finished with 21 points, five rebounds, three steals, and two turnovers against the Thunder. Fifteen of his points came in the first half. Harris added 11 points, four rebounds, four steals, and two turnovers.

The Sixers made 14 of 31 three-pointers (45.2%). They also had more steals (22) than OKC finished with assists (21). The Thunder handled the ball like it was a hot potato, committing 30 turnovers.

But the Sixers’ 22 steals were the most by an NBA team this season. The previous high was 18 by the Indiana Pacers against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 3.

It would have been a disappointment if the Sixers didn’t dominate the tanking Thunder (20-41). The barometer will come in their home contests against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday and Friday.

To say the Sixers expected stiff competition from the Thunder would have been fallacious.

This was the Oklahoma City’s 14th consecutive loss. The Thunder have lost those games by an average of 21.4 points. And just like they’ve been for a lot of this season, the Thunder were undermanned.

Former Sixer Al Horford hasn’t played since March 24 after being shut down for the rest of the season despite being healthy.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (right foot plantar fasciitis), former Sixer Mike Muscala (right ankle sprain), Josh Hall (bilateral knee soreness), Lu Dort (right hip sprain) and Gabriel Deck (not with team) were also all out on Monday.

Danny Green (left hip recovery) and reserve Mike Scott (left hip soreness) had the night off for the Sixers.

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This contest gave George Hill another opportunity to mesh with teammates. He finished with 2 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 turnovers while playing 14:01.

However, Hill and Simmons were only on the court together for 53 seconds, all in the first half.

Anthony Tolliver, who’s on his second 10-day contract, finished with six points.

Embiid (right shoulder soreness), Harris (right knee recovery), and Furkan Korkmaz (sprained right ankle) were all cleared to play after being listed as questionable. Korkmaz had missed the Sixers’ last two games.

Embiid favored his shoulder a few times on Monday but remained in the game. Meanwhile, Harris looked better than in his first two games back after missing three with a right knee bone bruise.

“I’m responding to the minutes and recovering,” Harris said. “That’s a good thing, and my body feels good. Tonight, I really felt good on my agility and defensively.

“That was a big thing for me. So I’m get continuing to get back into the flow and working. But yeah, I feel really good.”

Ty Jerome had 22 points for the Thunder.