It would 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 is able to hold him sidelined. Simmons, who hasn’t performed since Feb. 15 as a consequence of knee and again soreness, has been out and in of the Nets lineup all season as a consequence of varied illnesses, however this most up-to-date one has been essentially 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 at present. He will stay out of motion whereas we decide the very best long-term course of therapy.”
Prior to Saturday’s matchup with the Miami Heat, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn stated that Simmons is “most likely not going to hitch us for the remainder of the yr, in all honesty.”
The again prognosis 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 remedy the knee downside. 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 prognosis is a nerve impingement.
This is simply the newest 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 through the 2021-22 season, Simmons’ contemporary begin has been something however that. He’s seen former Nets head coach Steve Nash get fired, and the latest 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 like to have Simmons wholesome, they’ve managed on wonderful with out him throughout this latest stretch. While Durant and Irving are 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 presently 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 operating to keep away from the play-in altogether and safe a top-6 spot within the East.
