Sixers beat Nets despite missing Joel Embiid and James Harden in Ben Simmons' return to Philly

The Brooklyn Nets' issues go well beyond who's not on the court, and Ben Simmons' return to Philadelphia demonstrated that to an embarrassing extent.

The Nets entered the game with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons all playing, a rarity In recent weeks. The Philadelphia 76ers entered the game without Joel Embiid (out two games with a foot injury), James Harden (foot sprain) and Tyrese Maxey (foot fracture).

The Sixers won 115-106.

To put things in perspective, here was the Sixers' starting lineup: De'Anthony Melton, Shake Milton, Tobias Harris, P.J. Tucker, Montrezl Harrell. Two of those players, Milton and Harrell, were making their second starts of the season.

Meanwhile, Paul Reed and Georges Niang came off the bench to combine for 35 points, more than the entire Nets bench.