Kyrie Irving may be back for the Brooklyn Nets but Ben Simmons remains sidelined with a back injury.
The 25-year-old guard has not played in a single game this season and according to Nets coach Steve Nash, Simmons hasn't made much progress since joining the Nets at the trade deadline in February.
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Without Simmons, the Nets have not been at full strength and able to see how he fits in a Big 3-type lineup with Irving and All-Star forward Kevin Durant. On paper, Simmons should be a great fit next to Irving and Durant as his defensive prowess and playmaking ability would mesh well with the two Brooklyn superstars. But due to Simmons' lingering back injury, the Nets just have to continue to play the waiting game.
The Nets could use Simmons especially since they are battling to clinch a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Brooklyn is currently in eight place in the Eastern Conference and have just six more games left on their regular season schedule.
The Nets are two games back of the Cavaliers and just a half-game up on the Hornets. After losing the head-to-head season series, the Nets need to stay ahead of the Hornets if they want to hold on to eighth and assure themselves of two chances to make the playoffs via the Play-In Tournament. Brooklyn can pull within one game of Cleveland with a win vs. Milwaukee and a loss by the Cavaliers who are playing on the second night of a back-to-back in Atlanta.
Will Ben Simmons play on Thursday, March 31 vs. the Bucks?
Is Ben Simmons playing tonight?
No.
In fact based on Nash's pregame press conference on Tuesday, it doesn't sound like Simmons will be making his Nets debut anytime soon.
Reporter: "Has Ben [Simmons] been able to do anything more the last few days?"
— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) March 29, 2022
Steve Nash: "no."
reporter: has he had another MRI, we know he had one a few weeks ago, has he had any more?
Nash: "I don't believe so, no."
With just six games left for the Nets, it remains to be seen if Simmons will even play a single game this regular season.
When will Ben Simmons play?
There is no timetable for a return.
What channel is Nets vs. Bucks on?
- TV channel (USA): TNT
- TV channel (Brooklyn): YES Network
- TV channel (Milwaukee): N/A
- TV channel (Canada): Sportsnet
In the United States, Nets vs. Bucks will air nationally on TNT. Viewers in Canada can watch Nets. vs. Bucks on Sportsnet.
Nets vs. Bucks start time
- Date: Thursday, March 31
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. PT
Nets vs. Bucks is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. The game will tip off shortly after the scheduled start time.
Nets remaining schedule 2021-22
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV |
| March 31 | vs. Bucks | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| April 2 | at Hawks | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| April 5 | vs. Rockets | 7:30 p.m. | – |
| April 6 | at Knicks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| April 8 | vs. Cavaliers | 7:30 p.m. | – |
| April 10 | vs. Pacers | TBD | – |
