USATSI
It does not sound like we’ll see Ben Simmons for the rest of the season, because the Brooklyn Nets introduced Friday night that the guard has been recognized with a nerve impingement in his again, which can hold him sidelined. Simmons, who hasn’t performed since Feb. 15 because of knee and again soreness, has been out and in of the Nets lineup all season because of numerous illnesses, however this most up-to-date one has been probably the most prolonged, occurring 15 consecutive video games missed.
Per the Nets announcement:
“Ben Simmons has been recognized with a nerve impingement in his again after a reevaluation earlier in the present day. He will stay out of motion whereas we decide one of the best long-term course of therapy.”
The again analysis comes on the heels of Simmons having fluid drained from his knee whereas additionally receiving a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection previous to the All-Star break. However, that therapy did not clear up the knee drawback. The again soreness got here whereas Simmons was rehabbing from the knee harm, which resulted within the All-Defensive guard having an MRI on March 6, which revealed irritation. Now, it seems the official analysis is a nerve impingement.
This is simply the most recent setback in what’s been a irritating yr for Simmons, who previous to being injured was demoted to a bench function the place he was enjoying simply 17 minutes an evening. Since being traded to the Brooklyn Nets throughout the 2021-22 season, Simmons’ recent begin has been something however that. He’s seen former Nets head coach Steve Nash get fired, and the current trades of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving despatched the Brooklyn franchise right into a mini rebuild. All of this whereas Simmons is averaging career-lows throughout the board (6.9 factors, 6.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists), whereas showing in simply 42 video games.
While the Nets would favor to have Simmons wholesome, they’ve managed on nice with out him throughout this current stretch. While Durant and Irving are now not on the staff, Brooklyn nonetheless sits in prime place to at the very least make the play-in spherical. With a 39-34 file, the Nets at the moment sit seventh within the Eastern Conference, only a half-game again of the No. 6 Miami Heat. A present five-game dropping streak has resulted in Brooklyn falling down the standings, however with 9 video games left on the schedule, they’re nonetheless within the working to keep away from the play-in altogether and safe a top-6 spot within the East.
