FURKAN KORKMAZ scored 27 points, Isaiah Joe added 20, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Brooklyn Nets 115-104 Monday night in Philadelphia in a matchup of teams missing their star point guards.

Kyrie Irving was not with the Nets. He is unvaccinated, and he has had limited practice time because of a New York City coronavirus vaccination mandate.

Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons made an offseason trade demand and has not been with the team in the preseason, but his representation at Klutch Sports is working with the team on a possible resolution. Philadelphia president Daryl Morey and coach Doc Rivers have been publicly optimistic since the start of training camp that Simmons eventually would return to the team.

“We’ve said from day one what we’ve wanted,” Rivers said before the game. “We’d love to have him back. Other than that, honestly, there’s nothing to report.”

Simmons, a 25-year-old Australian, still has US$147 million and four years left on his contract.

Irving finally practiced with the Nets this past Saturday at an outdoor practice. He joined the Nets for an indoor practice Sunday after the Nets were told Friday that their training center is considered a private facility.

Nash wouldn’t say how he would handle minutes at the position as he adjusts.

“This is all stuff that we have to figure out, and as I keep saying, navigate because it’s kind of unprecedented,” he said. “And we’re just trying to take our time and not rush into any preconceived judgments of what we’re doing and figure it out as we go.”

There was plenty of star power remaining without Irving and Simmons.

Andre Drummond scored 16 points and Joel Embiid scored 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting in just over eight minutes of action for Philadelphia.

Kevin Durant scored 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting and James Harden added 21 points on 8-for-14 shooting for Brooklyn.(SD-Agencies)