The Brooklyn Nets have been without Ben Simmons, Dennis Smith Jr. and Lonnie Walker IV for some time now, but it seems that the Nets will be getting some reinforcements soon after a rough west-coast road trip.
On Wednesday, hours before Brooklyn faces the New York Knicks in the Battle of the Boroughs, the Nets gave a medical update on all three players. For Simmons (left lower back impingement), who last played on Nov. 6, is displaying consistent strength improvement in his back over the past two weeks and has increased his individual court work, per the team. The next update on Simmons will be in approximately two weeks.
Smith (upper back sprain) has been cleared for full basketball activities and will continue to increase his on-court work, according to the Nets’ press release. While Smith has been ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Knicks, he is questionable for Friday’s game against the Denver Nuggets so he could be back on the court as soon as Friday.
Walker, who has missed time due to a left hamstring strain, is steadily increasing his individual on-court activity, per the Nets. The team expects Walker to progress to playing 5-on-5 over the next several days with the idea of him returning to the lineup next week.
The Brooklyn Nets released their latest medical update. Essentially:
Ben Simmons is improving, but will be out for the next 2 weeks.
Dennis Smith Jr. appears close to returning and could play on Friday.
Lonnie Walker IV is improving and could come back after Christmas. pic.twitter.com/fb5DoJqvcK
— Sharif Phillips-Keaton (@SharifKeaton) December 20, 2023
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