Ben Simmons downplays fine for elbowing Kyle Lowry in the groin during Sixers-Raptors Game 3, but JJ Redick pleads Simmons’ case
The Sixers' veteran shooting guard told Simmons “It looked like he intentionally put his butt in your face" during a news conference.
Ben Simmons tried to evade the question about his being fined $20,000 for elbowing Kyle Lowry in the groin.
The 76ers point guard received the fine and was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul retroactively Friday for his action toward the Toronto Raptors point guard in Thursday’s 116-95 Game 3 victory. So he knew the play and the fine would be a hot topic at Saturday’s media availability.
“We got another game to win," Simmons said. “I’m not really worried about it.”
The Sixers entertain the Raptors Sunday afternoon in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series at the Wells Fargo Center. Philly leads, 2-1.
But perhaps in a way to defend his teammate’s actions, JJ Redick didn’t let it end with Simmons’ short response.
“It looked like he intentionally put his butt in your face,” Redick said while looking at Simmons.
Simmons looked away and smiled.
“That was weird,” Redick said as the two players and media chuckled.
Sixers coach Brett Brown will continue to remind his players to keep their emotions in check. He doesn’t want them involved any altercations for fear of losing them to suspensions.
“It’s part of the NBA, physicality and heightened emotions,” Brown said. “And I think Ben said it best where he said he just wants to move forward and play Game 4. It’s stuff where we talked a lot about it with my team before the playoffs began -- how things can go south with things of that sort.”