NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 24: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the first half against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on February 24, 2022 in New York City.
NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d PHILADELPHIA - Ben Simmons will be on the bench, boos raining down from all corners of his old home.James Harden and Kyrie Irving will go head-to-head on the court, their explosive partnership having flamed out in just 13 months.A month after Harden and Simmons were swapped in a blockbuster NBA trade, Brooklyn visits Philadelphia on Thursday in what’s more than just perhaps the most-hyped game of the stretch run.This one is personal."It’s going to be loud," Nets All-Star Kevin Durant said. "I’m sure Philly fans and people watching the game and media think this is somewhat of a budding rivalry.
So I imagine it’s going to feel that way."When these teams were last on the court together, Durant and Joel Embiid received taunting technical fouls in the final moments before Embiid waved the Nets off their home floor after the 76ers’ Dec.
30 victory.Things could be even testier now.James Harden, the 10-time All-Star guard acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers at the trade deadline, made his Wells Fargo Center debut on Wednesday.Trade deadline day was breakup day in Philadelphia and Brooklyn, with Simmons and Harden getting their wishes to part ways with their teams when they were exchanged in a Feb.