The Philadelphia 76ers have fined Ben Simmons again, and will continue to do so until “he works with team physicians on his mental health issues as well as participates in other basketball-related activities,” according to a report from The Athletic.
Simmons was reportedly fined $360,000 for missing Thursday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, which equates to his game check. The money will be placed into an escrow account, the second time in recent weeks the Sixers have done so. The franchise withheld payment on the second installment of the 25-year-old’s $33 million salary when he refused to report to training camp in October.
The No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft told Daryl Morey that he’s continuing to seek professional help and isn’t mentally ready to play when the 76ers’ team president approached him about a potential return to action on Wednesday.
His reluctance to accept the 76ers assistance has heightened frustration across the organization, according to an ESPN report from Tuesday. He was thrown out of a preseason practice, and also told the team that he wasn’t “prepared mentally.”
Through its first nine games, Philadelphia sits first in the Atlantic Division with a 7-2 record. The Sixers travel to Chicago on Saturday to face the Bulls.