Shaquille O’Neal calls out Ben Simmons for missing Nets' must-win Game 4: 'Punk move'

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Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal took aim at Ben Simmons over what he called a "punk move" after the former Philadelphia 76er was nowhere to be seen in the Boston Celtics' sweep of the Brooklyn Nets, despite rumors that he would make his debut for the Nets in Monday’s do-or-die Game 4. 

The Nets were hopeful that Simmons, who was dealt to Brooklyn after James Harden was traded to Philadelphia in February, would make his debut with the team in the final game of the series with Boston leading 3-0, but on Sunday the team announced that he was ruled out with an ongoing back issue. 

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The Nets were eliminated from the playoffs following a 116-112 loss but even with all the issues one could pick out on the court, O’Neal focused on Simmons' absence as part of the problem.   

Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during playoff game three against the Boston Celtics on April 23, 2022, at Barclays Center in New York City. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

"In the hood, we call this a punk move. You know, when things are going good – ‘I’m gonna play in Game 4.’ … Now that they lost (Game 3), ‘My back hurts.’ Well, if your back hurts, get some Icy Hot. I’ll send it to you. We call this a punk move," he said on TNT’s "Inside the NBA." 

"Listen, if you’re not ready to play, you would get more respect from the people if you just say ‘I’m not ready to play.’ And don’t say nothing else. Don’t be shooting and saying ‘I’m coming back. I’m going to do this.’ That was a punk move." 

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