Now that’s more like it.

After a horrendous Game 1 with cellphone gate and Ben Simmons hating people that boo, the Sixers stormed back to dominate in the second half to take Game 2, 145-123. And with that, the series is now tied at one game each.

Ben Simmons had an awful Game 1, but stormed back to make a huge impact in Game 2. Not only did he record a triple-double with 18 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, but he made a much larger impact on the defensive side of the ball. Simmons knew he had to win the crowd back Monday night and did so.

Joel Embiid had a double-double of 23 points and 10 boards, Tobias Harris woke up with 19 points, and JJ Redick scored 17. The Sixers finished 9-of-23 from 3 with Mike Scott going 3-of-5 and scoring 9 of his 15 from behind the arc.

After leading by a point entering the half, the third quarter became a blowout. The defense forced Brooklyn with three turnovers and four misses to jump start a 21-2 run to blow the doors open. In the end, the Sixers scored 51 in the 12 minute span, a franchise record for points in a single playoff quarter. The 145 overall also set a franchise high.

It comes to show what the ceiling could be for the club. A performance like this should take care of the Nets easily in the next three games. But it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Game 3 is Thursday night in Brooklyn and the Nets faithful will sure be ready for that one.

The Roundup:

Aaron Nola has been a disappointment so far in the early season. The Cy Young contender a year ago does not look like one now.

Last night against the Mets with Ryan Howard on the ESPN call, the right-hander went four innings and gave up five runs on seven hits despite striking out six batters and saw his ERA go up to 7.45. That ain’t good.

It was a little better for Noah Syndergaard who went five innings and gave up five runs on nine hits with nine strikeouts.

But despite the fairly even pitching battle, the game went to extra innings where a Rhys Hoskins fielding error brought home Michael Conforto in the top of the 11th to give the Mets a 7-6 win. Hoskins also didn’t help at the plate, striking out four time and walking once.

Speaking of bad starts, Nick Pivetta is on the mound tonight for Game 2 of their three-game series at 7:05 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Pivetta’s ERA is a 9.45.

Speaking of pitching, David Robertson landed on the Injured List with soreness in his right elbow/forearm. That’s great!

The Flyers named former Canadiens, Canucks, and Rangers bench boss Alain Vigneault as their next head coach. He’s a good coach when he’s got talent ready to win now. In my opinion, this team ain’t ready to win now. He’ll need to have some patience if he wants to steer the ship the right way.

The Eagles began offseason activities yesterday, and there was news. Nate Sudfeld signed his second-round tender so he’ll come in as the backup to Carson Wentz.

Josh Adams will miss the start of the offseason programs after recovering from labrum surgery. Could be where the Birds pick up another running back?

Speaking of injuries, Jason Kelce played with three of them last season.

In other sports news, the Clippers completed the largest comeback in NBA postseason history with a 135-131 win over the Warriors. They were down 31 at one point.

The Seahawks and Russell Wilson agreed to a contract extension that makes him the highest paid player in the NFL.

Carolina defeated Washington 5-0 in Game 3 of their Stanley Cup Playoff series, but Alex Ovechkin knocked out Andrei Svechnikov.

In the news, the 2026 MLB All-Star Game should be announced later today in Philadelphia.

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris caught fire and the roof and spire collapsed.