By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia 76ers have a match-up with the Boston Celtics tonight at 7:30 p.m., but the game itself could very well play second fiddle to the news of first overall pick Ben Simmons making the trip with the team, the first time he's traveled all season. CSNPhilly.com's Jessica Camerato reports that the former LSU product was at practice in Boston and although he didn't participate in shoot around, he did complete individual workouts.
“It’s starting to get into a new year and we’re starting to see him without the boot and slowly be integrated into the team. This is a part of it, including him on the road,” Brett Brown said. “It’s a sign that we hope not too far away we can start integrating him more and more and more. This is the first step, a small step, to doing that.”
There is still no timetable for Simmons' return, but he is practicing consistently without his walking boot and the team has been very active in including the rookie in a number of activities, including a night out in Philadelphia on New Year's.
“Ben’s doing a great job. He’s definitely working his butt off to get back,” Noel said. “All the guys try to do our best job to keep him involved, even on the sideline. It is a tough transition, being hurt … not being able to get up and down the court with the guys. I think we’ve made a conscious effort to make sure he felt part of the team as much as possible.”
Simmons hasn't played at all this season for Philadelphia after suffering a Jones fracture in his right foot during the final day of training camp in September. He's been rehabbing at the teams' practice facility in Camden, New Jersey, and has been on the bench for a handful of the teams' recent home games.
