Speaking prior to the Nets game Friday night, guard Ben Simmons told reporters that he is still without a concrete timetable to return to NBA action.
Originally injured on November 6th vs. Milwaukee, Simmons has suited up for only 6 games thus far in 2023-24 due to a recurring back injury. The 27 year old will reportedly be re-evaluated by team physicians in 2 weeks time.
“It is one of those things where you don’t know what time,” Simmons said prior to tip off Friday. “It’s probably one of the most frustrating points of my career because I want to be able to help my team win…It’s one of those things that’s a part of sports. Not every game is promised. Injuries happen. Unfortunately, it happened.”
The Nets are currently labelling the injury as a “back nerve impingement”, which has limited the former 76ers’ ability to practice in full. Simmons has been slowly ramping up his individual skill work drills, but has yet to begin taking contact, or practicing at full speed.
The former 3x NBA All-Star has been limited to just 48 games over the past 3 seasons combined following a series of injuries and off court setbacks. Productive when healthy, Simmons has yet to regain the form he had during his 4 relatively healthy seasons in Philadelphia.
Across 275 games with the Sixers, the LSU product averaged 15.9pts/8.1reb/7.7ast while taking home Rookie of the Year honours and being named to the All-NBA first team defensive unit twice.
Without Simmons, Brooklyn has struggled to a 13-14 record, and have dropped their last 4 contests. While it remains to be seen what, if any, effect Simmons’ return to the lineup will have on the Nets diminishing playoff chances, he could be an interesting bargaining chip that could be dangled at the trade deadline.
The Nets play host to the reigning champion Denver Nuggets Friday night at the Barclays Center.
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