How long is Ben Simmons out? Knee injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Nets star

Kyle Irving

How long is Ben Simmons out? Knee injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Nets star image

The new-look Nets will have to continue to play without one of their core pieces in All-Star guard Ben Simmons.

Simmons has been dealing with left knee soreness this season and the 26-year-old appears to have reaggravated the injury. He returned from a five-game absence on Feb. 7 and played in Brooklyn's next five games, but he is now sidelined once again with the same injury.

When can the Nets expect Simmons to return to the lineup? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates below.

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What is Ben Simmons' injury?

In a loss to the Pistons on Jan. 26, Simmons exited in the third quarter with left knee soreness.

Ben Simmons is out for the remainder of tonight’s game due to left knee soreness.

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 27, 2023

It is unclear when exactly the injury occurred, but his left knee has been bothering him for the majority of the season.

Simmons is averaging 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists through 42 games for the Nets.

How long will Ben Simmons be out?

On Feb. 28, Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn denied any idea of shutting Simmons down for the season.

"No, that's a zero on that one," Vaughn told the media. "Go zero. Think I went zero last time, going zero again. No discussion," he bluntly concluded.

However, Vaughn did not offer a timetable for return, either.

On March 3, Vaughn provided an update on Simmons' status, telling reporters that in the process of strengthening his knee, the Aussie is now experiencing back soreness.

Simmons returned from a five-game absence due to left knee soreness on Feb. 7, appearing in five games before reappearing on the injury report. Over those five games, Simmons only averaged 19.1 minutes, posting 3.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

It is unclear when the 26-year-old will retake the floor for the Nets at this time.

Nets upcoming schedule

Here is a look at the next five games on Brooklyn's schedule:

Date Opponent Time (ET) National TV
March 5 vs. Hornets 6 p.m.
March 7 at Rockets 8 p.m.
March 9 at Bucks 8 p.m.
March 10 at Timberwolves 8 p.m.
March 12 at Nuggets 3:30 p.m.

Ben Simmons career stats, highlights

  • 14.7 points per game
  • 7.8 rebounds per game
  • 7.5 assists per game
  • 1.6 steals per game
  • 0.7 blocks per game
  • 3.2 turnovers per game
  • 32.9 minutes per game
  • 56.0 percent field goal shooting
  • 59.1 percent free throw shooting

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.