Why isn't Ben Simmons playing in return to Philadelphia? Possible target dates for Nets' debut

The day has finally come for Ben Simmons to make his return to Philadelphia as a member of the Brooklyn Nets, but the All-Star guard will not be taking the floor.

Since being traded from the 76ers to the Nets on Feb. 10, Simmons has yet to suit up for his new team due to "return to competition reconditioning and back soreness."

Simmons hasn't made his 2021-22 season debut and has missed 11 games since becoming a member of the Nets. Brooklyn is fighting to stay in the playoff picture, currently sitting in at 33-33, good for eighth in the East.

Simmons has already been ruled out for Thursday's contest against his former team, but why? And when will he make his debut for his new team?

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Why isn't Ben Simmons playing in return to Philadelphia?

Per the Nets' submission to the NBA's official injury report on Wednesday, Simmons is listed as "out" against his former team due to "return to competition reconditioning and back soreness."

On the March 6 edition of "NBA Countdown," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Simmons is expected to be out for this entire week, including there that there was "no chance" Simmons would play in his return to Philadelphia on March 10.

"After Thursday's game in Philly, Simmons, at that point, will be ready to start getting on the floor with his teammates and increasing his workload, getting closer to returning," Wojnarowski said.

"That back problem has been an issue for him since he's tried to started ramping up. He's essentially really just done individual work at their facility. They're hoping by the end of this week, he'll be able to do more."

However, even though he is not playing, Simmons is expected to be on the bench for the contest, ready to hear it from the Philadelphia fanbase.

Ben Simmons will not play in Thursday’s Nets-76ers – but is expected to make the return trip to Philadelphia and join team on bench inside Wells Fargo Center, sources say. More: pic.twitter.com/3orGREnaX8

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 7, 2022

Prior to the highly-anticipated return, superstar forward Kevin Durant had some advice to offer to his teammate.

"That’s one of those things he’s gonna have to experience for himself," Durant said. "I can’t go over there, nobody’s gonna hold his hand, I’m sure it’s gonna be personal attacks, there’s gonna be some words that may trigger you, personally, but that’s just how fans are.

"... Ben understands that and sure some stuff may be funny – you know, you don't know. But at the end of the day, we realize that life is amazing, we play the game of basketball for a living, and a little bit of trash talk is what it is."

Head coach Steve Nash also mentioned that Simmons wanted to be on the sidelines for this one.

"It is what it is. He's a big boy. He'll be fine," Nash said on Tuesday about Simmons' return. "He wants to be there on the bench with his teammates."

When will Ben Simmons make his Nets debut?

Once Simmons gets his return to Philadelphia out of the way, he is expected "to increase his workload and get closer to making a return," per Wojnarowski, as mentioned in the section above.

Simmons is expected to be out for the remainder of this week – meaning he won't be available for Sunday's game against the Knicks either – which will only leave 14 games on the schedule for him to make his return before the postseason.

You can find their full remaining schedule below.