The Brooklyn Nets are facing a challenging situation with their starting point guard, Ben Simmons.
It was recently disclosed that Simmons, who has been dealing with a back impingement since early November, will need additional time for recovery. Despite initial expectations of an earlier return, a recent evaluation indicates that the former No. 1 overall pick will be sidelined for at least another two weeks. As of now, Simmons has already missed 20 games in the current season.
This setback echoes a similar scenario Simmons faced with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2020, when he dealt with a back impingement before the NBA’s COVID-19 shutdown.
Apart from an injury that caused him to miss his entire debut season due to a foot injury, Simmons had a relatively healthy stint with the 76ers, playing in 275 games across four seasons. However, after the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Simmons demanded a trade, leading to his move to the Nets.
Although Simmons had not planned on missing the entire 2021–2022 season, a sudden back injury following his trade to Brooklyn delayed his Nets debut until the 2022–2023 season. During the previous season, he played 42 games for the Nets but recorded career lows in points, rebounds, and assists.
Once again, an injury during the regular season forced him to miss the remainder of the year. This season, Simmons aimed to regain his form and contribute to the Nets, but a setback occurred after just six games.
The Nets, currently struggling with a 13-14 record and sitting ninth in the Eastern Conference, hope that Simmons can still make a positive impact on their team. However, the expectations for both Simmons and the Nets have not been met, marking a challenging period for the former 76er in his new role with Brooklyn.
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