The Brooklyn Nets are on the verge of getting a huge boost to their lineup, and it could change the fate of the Eastern Conference playoff bracket.
Speaking on ‘The Pat McAfee Show,’ NBA Insider Shams Charania dropped the latest news on Ben Simmons, who is expected to return to action in as little as one week.
“Right now, the goal is to ramp him up. By the end of the week, the goal is for Ben Simmons to get in some 5-on-5, right, and actually get pumped up, get some contact. He hasn’t done that yet. He hasn’t done that since June of 2021. That was the last time he played in a game. He has not played real NBA, 5-on-5 contact since then. He’s obviously had his open gym runs since last summer and earlier this year when he was in Philly and wasn’t playing. But he hasn’t gone out there and actually taken contact. So the goal is, let him get some contact before the end of the week.
Game 3 is Friday and then Game 4 is Monday. Next Monday, a week from now. And I’m told that is the point where we would all start looking to see if Ben Simmons will play or not. The goal is for him to be back between games 4 and 6. We’ll see where this series goes.”
"The Nets are very confident that Ben Simmons will be able to make a return as soon as next Monday" ~@ShamsCharania#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/C7OMinnfDa
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 18, 2022
Simmons, of course, hasn’t played since the Eastern Conference Semis in July, when his 76ers were bounced by a young and inexperienced Hawks team. He battled with Philly for months after that, trying to work his way out of a situation he no longer wanted anything to do with.
In February, his wish was granted with a trade to Brooklyn. Unfortunately, he hasn’t yet suited up for his new club.
That could change in as little as a week. If Simmons continues to ramp up his return and comes back in relatively good form, it could be the boost Brooklyn needs to make a huge run in the East.
The last time he was healthy, Simmons averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game on 56% shooting.
