Ben Simmons mercilessly booed as Nets lose on his playing return to Philly

• Australian left 76ers amid acrimony after demanding trade
• Simmons records double-double in 115-106 defeat

A spirited 76ers team playing without Joel Embiid and James Harden spoiled Ben Simmons' return to Philadelphia with a 115-106 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.

Simmons, who has been improving since an awful start to his Nets career, had 11 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds to the tune of steady boos. Kyrie Irving scored 23 points and Kevin Durant had 20 before coach Jacque Vaughn pulled his starting lineup with three minutes left in the game.