Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard Ben Simmons is set to miss an extended period of time.
After going down with a back injury in Sunday's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, further testing has revealed a nerve impingement in Simmons' lower back, according to multiple reports.
Simmons is to be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Tests on 76ers star Ben Simmons revealed he suffered nerve impingement in lower back and he will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 25, 2020
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, there is no timeline for Simmons' return, as the evaluation date is to be looked at as a benchmark rather than a date for his return to action.
It's unfortunate timing for the Sixers, who are now preparing themselves to play without the Aussie guard for the near future. At 36-22, Philadelphia is a half-game back of Miami for the East's No. 4 seed and much-desired home-court advantage in the opening round of the postseason.
Without Simmons in the lineup, the pursuit of home-court becomes that much harder.
The 76ers currently boast the league's best home record as they are 27-2 at the Wells Fargo Center but are just 9-20 on the road. Philadelphia has an even split of 12 home and away games remaining on its schedule.
This season, Simmons is averaging 16.7 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 58.5% from the field while missing just four of the team's first 58 games. His return to action will be a major key for the Sixers building momentum during their playoff push.
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