NEW ORLEANS -- Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers said the typical fun that surrounds opening day is muted with star point guard Ben Simmons back home under team suspension as his trade demand has kept the team dealing with drama.
"It's a predicament that we're in and that part is no fun. It really isn't," Rivers said Wednesday ahead of his team's first game against the New Orleans Pelicans. "We get to play right now and Ben is not. I want Ben to be playing. That's his job."
Rivers ejected Simmons from practice Tuesday after he refused to participate in a drill and the team quickly suspended him from the opener.