'His best game of the season': Ben Simmons dominates in Brooklyn Nets' win over Chicago Bulls
Ben Simmons drew praise for his "best game of the season", showing confidence at the rim in the Brooklyn Nets' 120-112 home win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday (AEDT).
The Australian showed flashes of his old self in almost recording a triple-double, filling the box score with eight points, eight rebounds, two blocks and a game-high 11 assists in just 25 minutes.
Simmons has copped some criticism since his return to the court for avoiding the basket, but that version of the Australian was nowhere to be seen against the Bulls.
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He contributed in every facet of the game in what was an up and down contest. Chicago trailed by 10 in the third quarter with 9:35 minutes remaining before outscoring the Nets 30-17, thanks to 13 points from Nikola Vucevic.
Ben Simmons dominant against the Bulls. Getty
Simmons was also crucial in leading Brooklyn's fourth-quarter comeback, showing remarkable vision with an accurate pass to Ziaire Williams to give the Nets a 100-98 lead with 8:56 remaining.
He was brought out of the game soon after and didn't return as the Nets look to optimise his health. Cam Thomas scored 10 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter to help Brooklyn get over the line.
Thomas scored eight straight points to give the Nets a 118-109 lead with 1:52 left, continuing his strong start to the season.
Cam Johnson added 14 points in Brooklyn's second straight victory, while Nic Claxton and Keon Johnson each had 12 points.
Vucevic led Chicago with 28 points on 10-of-11 shooting and had 11 rebounds. Zach LaVine and Coby White each added 21 points, with White going 5 of 9 from 3-point range.
Simmons' fellow Aussie Josh Giddey had an off night with his shot, scoring 11 points off 5-of-17 shooting , but added six rebounds, eight assists and two steals.
The Nets host Detroit on Monday, but Simmons' inclusion is not a certainty with the team vowing to take a careful approach.
