Sixers news: Ben Simmons likely to miss rest of season after knee surgery

The Sixers are likely to miss Ben Simmons for the rest of the 2020 season.

The worst-case scenario has come to fruition for Ben Simmons. The Sixers All-Star will undergo surgery to remove a loose body from his left knee, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. This is a result of the left knee subluxation he suffered in Wednesday’s win over Washington.

Simmons’ injury came in the third quarter of Wednesday’s game. He landed awkwardly on his left knee after securing a rebound, slowly trotted out to the 3-point line, dumped a pass inside to Al Horford, and immediately walked off the court. He later left the stadium under his own power.

The Sixers haven’t ruled Simmons out entirely, but it would take a “deep run into the playoffs” for him to return, and even then, it’s no guarantee.

The magnitude of this loss for Philadelphia goes without saying. It was already difficult to project a deep playoff run for the Sixers, but this serves as a nail in the coffin. There’s very little chance of Philadelphia competing in the Eastern Conference without Simmons.

This was in many respects a breakout season for Simmons. He didn’t make any sweeping improvements on offense, but he progressed from a good defender to a great defender. He was a Defensive Player of the Year pick for many, and should earn first team All-Defense honors.

For Philadelphia, this will mean expanded duties for Al Horford — who started in Simmons’ place on Friday — as well as Shake Milton, who is now the only “point guard” in the rotation. This could also further cement Alec Burks’ prominence in the rotation as a ball-handler.

No one can aptly replace Simmons on defense. Horford is a mostly passable defender next to Embiid, but the Sixers no longer have the most versatile on-ball defender in basketball. Simmons spent more time than anyone guarding All-Stars, and he also defended all five positions regularly. Expect Josh Richardson and Matisse Thybulle to draw more difficult assignments on the perimeter.

Here’s to wishing a speedy recovery to Ben.