Kevin Durant gives verdict on Ben Simmons' performance versus Trail Blazers

• Sports

Kevin Durant was absolutely thrilled for Ben Simmons after the former first overall pick delivered his best performance since joining the Brooklyn Nets. On Thursday night, Simmons had a near triple-double as he posted 15 points, 13 rebounds and sevn assists in a 109-107 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

"Incredible. I'm just happy for him because he's been trying to get his form back, trying to figure his rhythm out. Tonight I think he did a good job just talking up, commanding the offense, commanding the team on the defensive side of the ball.

He was incredible tonight. So we're going to keep building on that and hopefully we're able to get this next one, but he controlled the game and was able to get us back into it," Durant said of Simmons' performance.

Durant praised Simmons following the win over Portland

Late in the game, the Trail Blazers opted for a hack-a-Simmons strategy.

When it mattered the most, Simmons knocked down 3-of-4 of his free throws. "I love those moments. I'm not going to shy away. That was their plan. Obviously, it didn't work. We were able to convert a couple free throws, get some stops.

Just keep building. I like those moments," Simmons reflected. Simmons, who missed the entire last season before returning to action at the start of this season, has struggled a lot at the start of this season. But on Thursday, Simmons delivered a very promising performance.

Going forward, Simmons is hoping to deliver more of performances like the one he had against the Trail Blazers. "I'm coming. I'm getting there, man. It's taking a little bit of time, but I got my own back. My teammates got my back, my coaches," Simmons added.

Simmons also earned a praise from head coach Jacque Vaugh, who said Simmons had "a very encouraging performance."