Ben Simmons hasn’t played since last season when he collapsed against the Atlanta Hawks during Game 7 of the Philadelphia 76ers’ second-round series. The Australian player was heavily criticized for his performances during that series and his inability to develop a jumper.
After that, Simmons refused the play for the Sixers, which started a big saga that ended last month when the team dealt him to Brooklyn in exchange for James Harden and Paul Millsap. Even though his chapter with the Sixers was done, Simmons hasn’t played a single minute with the Nets.
He’s been dealing with a back injury that gets worse by the week. When people think the player is coming back to action, a setback happens and we have to wait more time to see him taking on the court again.
The situation may be unclear right now, but one NBA insider has shed light on this issue. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Simmons and the Nets are trying to get him ready for the playoffs. This is extremely important as the playmaker could be a huge piece of the team’s championship aspirations.
“Ben Simmons has resumed light on-court workouts sources tell me. The hope remains that he will be able to ramp up for a potential return in time for the playoffs. The Nets and Simmons have worked together on managing his back issues which flared up when he was previously aiming for a mid-March return, and now with the Nets jocking for playoff positions in the Eastern Conference, a Simmons return makes the team’s ceiling even greater for potentially deeper run.”
If the Nets can get Simmons back for the postseason, things will look a lot more favorable for the Brooklynites. They already have Kyrie Irving playing in every game, and the addition of Ben would be the key they need to come out of the East and win the NBA championship.
