Thybulle snubbed at 76ers, Bucks beat Nets

Murray Wenzel | October 27, 2022

Matisse Thybulle’s strange snub in Philadelphia has continued, while Ben Simmons’ lively start ended in more disappointment for Brooklyn in the NBA.

The 76ers fell to 1-4 after a 119-109 loss to Toronto, Olympic bronze medallist Thybulle an unused substitute as coach Doc Rivers continues to overlook the Australian.

The wing defender played an average 20 and 25 minutes per contest over the last two seasons respectively and claimed All-Defensive Second Team honours in each campaign.

But he has been afforded just five minutes across the first five games of this season, with recruits Danuel House and De’Athony Melton preferred ahead of him despite the side’s defensive issues.

The lack of game time comes after the Sixers opted not to offer Thybulle a contract extension, meaning the 25-year-old former first-round pick will become a restricted free agent at season’s end.

Things are not much rosier for his former 76ers teammate in Brooklyn, with the Nets coughing up a 12-point lead in a 110-99 loss to Milwaukee.

A confident Simmons (four points, nine assists, five rebounds, two steals and a block) triggered the Nets’ surge in the second quarter with some sharp passing, Brooklyn two points better off while he was on court for more than 34 minutes.

But the Nets unravelled in a spicy third quarter in which coach Steve Nash was ejected and Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo (43 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, three blocks) took advantage of their offensive struggles.

It was a one-basket game early in the fourth quarter when the Nets missed nine straight shots, Antetokounmpo sparking a 12-0 run that left the Nets 1-3 and Bucks 3-0 for the season.

Simmons avoided the foul trouble that had plagued him so far this year, but made just two-of-seven field goals and missed both of his free-throw attempts.

He is now the only starter in the NBA this season with more than 100 minutes played but fewer than 25 points and 25 rebounds.

Antetokounmpo taunted the Australian after pushing past for a lay-up, gesturing Simmons was too small to guard him.

Compatriot Patty Mills was scoreless, taking only two shots in nearly 18 minutes on court spent marshalling defence and assisting Irving (27 points) and Kevin Durant (33 points).

The Los Angeles Lakers are in a similar predicament, LeBron James’ men falling to 0-4 and at the foot of the western conference after a 110-99 loss to Denver.

The clash also marked Australian Jack White’s regular-season debut, the Nuggets forward grabbing one steal in almost three minutes of action.

In Detroit, Trae Young scored a game-high 35 points as the Atlanta Hawks beat the hometown Pistons 118-113.