Ben Simmons was awful during the Philadelphia 76ers Game 2 loss to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinal.
The rookie point guard only scored one point, had five turnover to seven assists, and was a -23 to his back up T.J. McConnell's +16.
This should have all been music to Donovan Mitchell's ears, as Utah's combo guard has been been open with his opinion that he, not the favored Simmons, should be the Rookie of The Year.
But when Mitchell was asked about Simmons's giant egg at his press conference today, he was nothing but sympathetic.
"The biggest thing that people don't understand is that every player has that night," Mitchell said after the Utah Jazz's shootaround Friday in preparation for Game 3 against the Houston Rockets. "You look at LeBron [James] against the Mavs in the Finals, he had eight points [in Game 4]. There was one year I was watching [James] Hardenplay against the Warriors, and he had about 10 turnovers in a playoff game. So it happens to everybody.
"It just so happens that it happened to [Simmons], and I expect him to respond back. He's a good player. Good players respond back, and it's all about the response. It's a testament to his character. But it happens. He can't play great every night. It's not as easy as some people think."
Do you think Simmons can get his mojo back for Game 3, or has Boston figured him out?