Nets guard Ben Simmons was inactive for Wednesday’s preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Not because he was hurt, but for precautionary reasons, according to head coach Jordi Fernandez. Still working his way back into form following last season’s extended absence, Simmons has averaged 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this preseason while shooting 50% from the field. He started the last two games at center for Brooklyn in place of an injured Nic Claxton, who missed his third straight preseason game on Wednesday because of hamstring soreness. Simmons had averaged 13.3 minutes a night through his first two preseason appearances. “No issues, but we were planning on playing him three out of four [games],” Fernandez said. Second-year forward Noah Clowney started at center in Simmons’ absence, joining Dennis Schröder, Cam Thomas, Dorian Finney-Smith and Cam Johnson. Backup center Day’Ron Sharpe, who suffered a left hamstring strain during the first week of training camp, remained out and will not be re-evaluated for another five weeks. The 76ers played without Joel Embiid, Paul George and Kyle Lowry. “It doesn’t change much because our guys have been very interchangeable,” Fernandez said. “Noah’s challenge will be dealing with a really big and strong center and that’s a good challenge for him and for us.” JOHNSON IN, HAYES OUT Killian Hayes (hip soreness) missed his third straight preseason game on Wednesday. The 23-year-old guard did not travel with the Nets to Philadelphia. “He’s doing well. He’s rehabbing. He’s not here,” Fernandez said. “He’s just been working on getting back and getting right… We’ll assess him when we get back and see what we can do from there.” Hayes, the seventh overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, joined the Nets on an Exhibit 10 deal and entered training camp expected to compete for a roster spot. He is not eligible for a two-way contract. And while his string of absences certainly has not helped his chances of earning a standard NBA deal in Brooklyn, Fernendez said he has been happy with what he has seen from Hayes, when healthy, behind closed doors. “We’re not going to rush him because his health is our priority, same as every other player, so there’s no need to risk,” Fernandez said. “He’s done a good job… We have our own evaluation on him and we’re very happy with him.” Reserve guard Keon Johnson, who signed a two-year deal with the Nets in July, returned to the lineup on Wednesday after missing Monday’s preseason game against the Washington Wizards at Barclays Center. SNUBBED ESPN released its NBA Top 100 players list on Tuesday and zero Nets players made the cut. Not seeing Claxton or Cam Thomas on the list felt a bit odd. Claxton was considered one of the top available free agent centers last summer after finishing the 2023-24 season ranked eighth in the NBA in total blocks (146), 21st in field goal percentage among centers (62.9) and 14th in total rebounds collected among centers (706). He recorded 30 double-doubles across 71 games and the Nets rewarded his production with a four-year, $100 million extension. Thomas led the Nets in scoring last season at 22.5 points per game while shooting 44.2% from the field, 36.4% from 3-point range and 85.6% from the free throw line. His 11.9-point scoring jump from the prior season was the highest in the NBA. The 23-year-old guard is entering his first contract season in Brooklyn.