Ben Simmons Was Nearly Perfect From the Field During His Clippers Debut

Utah Jazz guard George defends LA Clippers guard/forward Simmons during the first half at the Delta Center. | Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images

Ben Simmons was able to get in one game with his new team, the LA Clippers, before the NBA All-Star break. In his Clipper debut Thursday night, he played 27 minutes off the bench against the Utah Jazz and filled up the stat sheet.

Simmons scored 12 points on 4-for-5 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. He grabbed seven rebounds along with six assists, three steals and a block.

Ben Simmons in his Clippers debut:

12 Points
7 Rebounds
6 Assists
3 Steals
4/5 FGM
4/4 FTM
27 Minutes pic.twitter.com/iCqoABEHhe
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 14, 2025

Simmons's first points in his new uniform came via an alley-oop from Clippers star James Harden. The Utah defense left Simmons alone, not worried about him as a shooting threat, so he snuck toward the basket and was in position to put the perfect pass from Harden home.

Ben Simmons's first points as a Clipper come on an alley-oop from James Harden 👏 https://t.co/HO4DZEpI0I pic.twitter.com/eB7ZhOgROF
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 14, 2025

The Clippers held on to beat the Jazz 120-116 in overtime. Harden did it all with 32 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Clippers guard Norman Powell brought all the scoring L.A. needed with a 41-point night, including nine in overtime.

Simmons's debut went swimmingly and his teammates took notice.

"I think as soon as he checked in," Powell said postgame after he was asked when the game started to click for Simmons. "Just the passes and reads that he made, talking to me especially and some of the other guys, just when he has the ball what he's looking for. ... He's such a great passer, he sees the floor so well."

Norman Powell says that the light bulb clicked on for Ben Simmons "as soon as he checked in"

Powell mentioned Simmons ability to read the game, relieving James Harden when he was doubled, talking with Powell, and his defensive playmaking, especially after halftime. pic.twitter.com/VGIPXhBjAc
— Law Murray 🔄 (@LawMurrayTheNU) February 14, 2025

Simmons chose the Clippers as his next destination because he wanted to be there, which showed throughout his first game on the floor. He reached a buyout agreement with the Brooklyn Nets and signed a rest-of-season contract with the Clippers Saturday after he cleared waivers.