Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Sixers' Ben Simmons to play, guard LeBron James

Simmons missed Saturday's game against the Orlando Magic with a bruised left elbow.

Sixers guard Ben Simmons will be reevaluated closer to game time Monday.
Sixers guard Ben Simmons will be reevaluated closer to game time Monday.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

The 76ers' medical report lists Ben Simmons as questionable because of a bruised left elbow, but all signs point to the point guard's playing Monday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Wells Fargo Center.

Sixers small forward Robert Covington was asked about Cleveland small forward LeBron James, a four-time MVP.

"Tonight, I'm going to start on J.R. [Smith]," Covington said. "We are going to throw different matchups on LeBron. We are going to throw Benny on him. But we are going to see how the game goes."

Simmons participated in Monday morning's shootaround and stayed around to shoot foul shots with his left hand.

"I didn't notice anything," shooting guard JJ Redick said of Simmons' elbow problem at the shootaround. "I think he was fine. I think if it was playoff game, he probably could have played the other night. I think he's fine tonight."

Based on the responses of Redick and Covington and the ease with which Simmons attempted the foul shots, it's obvious that the Sixers intend to play the leading candidate for rookie of the year..

Simmons was held out of Saturday's 130-111 victory over the Orlando Magic because of a left elbow bruise.  His elbow swelled after he banged it late in Wednesday's 101-81 win against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Simmons is averaging 18.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists this season. The 6-foot-10, 240-pounder has recorded nine double-doubles and two triple-doubles this season.

The Sixers (11-7) will look to extend their winning streak to four games. The Cavs (12-7) have won seven straight  games.