Ben Simmons FINED For Missing Sixers Game & Not Cooperating With Team Docs

 

It was bound to come to this. When Ben Simmons finally reported to Philadelphia after his holdout at the beginning of training camp, it was painfully obvious that he was doing so just to avoid being fined. But when he then continued to make himself unavailable due to his stated lack of "mental readiness", and then refused to connect with team staff over his treatment, something had to give. 

Today, it gave. The team has officially fined Simmons his $360,000 game salary for missing last night's game vs. the Detroit Pistons. 

ESPN Sources: The 76ers fined Ben Simmons his $360K game salary for missing Thursday’s game and plan to resume fining him until he cooperates with team physicians on his mental health issues and fulfills other basketball-related obligations. Story: https://t.co/U4RyCJwKp5

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 5, 2021

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sixers plan to continue fining Simmons until he decides to cooperate with team physicians and "fulfills other basketball-related obligations."

Simmons has apparently been seeing Players Association-provided mental health experts about his "mindset", but has refused to provide any information about his treatment to Philly's medical staff, who have been offering to help but have been rebuffed. 

The team had already held back his October 1st scheduled pay installment, withdrawing about $2M in fines for his absences, and now another $360K in fines will be tacked on for every game he misses. 

Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports