Ben Simmons has been ruled out the Philadelphia 76ers’ home game against the Sacramento Kings just an hour before tip-off due to left knee soreness.
Simmons participated in the morning shootaround and talked to the media afterward.
According to the 76ers, he experienced soreness after the shootaround.
That left the Sixers three starters short against the Kings.
They are already shorthanded with Joel Embiid missing his fourth consecutive game with a bone bruise in his left knee and Seth Curry sidelined with a left ankle sprain.
This marks the eighth game that Simmons has missed this season.
He was sidelined in consecutive games on January 9 and January 11 against Denver and Atlanta with left knee soreness.
He was also out February 4 against Portland because of left calf tightness.
Simmons missed games February 17 against Houston and February 19 against Chicago because of illness unrelated to COVID-19.
Right after the All-Star break, he missed two games due to health and safety protocols after coming in contact with a barber who tested positive for coronavirus.
A third-time All-Star this season, Simmons is averaging 15.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.8 assists.
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