While one Nets superstar is making his way back to the court, another is still trying to just get practices in.
It appeared more unlikely that Nets superstar Ben Simmons would not be ready for next week’s return to Philadelphia, and there is a chance he may not be ready to play at all this month. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that his agent Rich Paul told him that Simmons is now considered week-to-week.
[READ: Kevin Durant on pace to make Nets return Thursday]
“He’s had some back soreness is what (Nets coach) Steve Nash referred to it as,” Windhorst said during an appearance on SportsNation. “Six, seven days ago, the (Nets) had a plan in place, from what I was told, that would have had both (Kevin) Durant and Ben Simmons back and active for that game on March 10. But now that plan has been scratched. Durant should be back this week, but Ben Simmons is week-to-week and that game is next week.
“As of yesterday, Ben hadn’t even been able to do a five-on-five workout with the team yet. So Frankly, he’s not close. I don’t even know if he’s going to be back in March. I guess week-to-week means check back next week. Next week is when the game is and it’s just not going to happen.”
Here’s the Brian Windhorst update about Brooklyn Nets Ben Simmons #Netsworld pic.twitter.com/ekAlZna2D1
— NetsKingdom ?? (@NetsKingdomAJ) March 2, 2022
The news is a blow to the Nets and its fanbase that has been eager to see Simmons on the court in Brooklyn black and white since he arrived on Feb. 10. He has been actively around the team since the Nets acquired him at the trade deadline.
Simmons had been going through reconditioning since he arrived and originally had said that he had felt good physically. He has not played a single game this season as he worked on his mental health.
News of the back soreness first broke last week, but Nets head coach Steve Nash tried to downplay the severity of the issue when he addressed it publically.
“You know, there’s been so much obfuscation and protection and difficulty with this Ben Simmons situation,” Windhorst said. “It’s very hard to get your arms around it, but I think you can scratch March 10.”
