The Brooklyn Nets face the need for Ben Simmons’ back to heal well enough in time for him to make his debut with the team before the season ends. With high hopes of title contention, Simmons’ skill-set is essential.
Simmons, who currently is recovering from a herniated disc (L-4), recently received an epidural injection to help alleviate the back pain he’s experienced.
The Nets’ expectation is for Simmons to play at some point this season. Much will be determined by how his back responds when he ramps up. He traveled with the team to Miami ahead of their matchup with the Miami Heat on Saturday.
After the Nets’ practice in Miami on Friday, Nets coach Steve Nash did not have much new information to offer, but stated that Simmons is “feeling a lot less pain” despite not having “any major updates.”
“I think he’s feeling a lot less pain. So I don’t have any major updates,” Nash said. “His symptoms are improving, and I think he’s progressing but he’s not on the floor yet.”
Whether it’s this season or next, the Nets will have a lot of versatility with Simmons on the floor. On defense, he will bring a switch-everything element into the fold along with a great deal of speed. On the other end, his playmaking and play-finishing will help, too.
Opposing teams will have a challenging time to match the Nets’ stylistically when Simmons, Durant, and Irving all share the floor together. Again, it remains to be seen when that will be.
Irving’s return to full-time status will at least help the Nets to build chemistry ahead of the playoffs, but regardless, not having Simmons available to play limits what can be done in that department.
Last season, Simmons appeared in 58 games for the Philadelphia 76ers and produced averages of 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.6 steals.
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