Steve Nash, Brooklyn Nets joke about Ben Simmons fouling out of preseason game

MINNEAPOLIS — Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash couldn't help but chuckle as Ben Simmons walked over to the bench after fouling out in just 13 minutes during a 112-102 preseason win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

«I said 'you might as well go straight to the bike and get some conditioning,'» Nash said after the game. «I don't think he was ready for the joke.»

Simmons, who finished with two points, six assists and two rebounds, was in disbelief over several of the calls — especially the last one with 10:26 left in the third quarter. It was the quickest he had ever fouled out in any professional game, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Several of Simmons' teammates laughed on the bench as he walked over, still pleading his case to anyone who would listen.

«Just talking to the refs, obviously adjusting to — one night you're playing against the [Milwaukee] Bucks and playing a physical game and then you're playing the Wolves and it's not that physical. So you're not able to get away with a lot of things but overall as a team I think we played great, we moved the ball. We're finding our identity.»

Simmons had a long conversation with official Nick Buchert in the first half, which at one point included teammate Kyrie Irving, as the pair ended up laughing by the end of the talk at what they felt was a quick whistle.

«Obviously, I probably wouldn't be laughing if it was the regular season but it's the preseason,» Simmons said.

«Honestly, they're getting used to seeing certain things on the floor too,» Simmons said. «But I don't mind, I might as well use the fouls. I got six of them so I'm trying to be physical and show my presence out there for my teammates because I feel like that's going to be a big