Ben Simmons has yet to play a game this season, but a return hasn't been ruled out.
Shortly after the Nets acquired Simmons from the 76ers at the trade deadline, it was reported that he was dealing with back soreness during the reconditioning process. A month later, Nets head coach Steve Nash revealed that Simmons has a herniated disk in his back, which he received an epidural for in the hopes that it would improve his pain.
"He's had this a couple years ago, so he's had [herniated disks] throughout his career at some points," Nash said. "I guess there was a flare-up. I'm not sure when they recognized it was beyond a regular back flare-up and a herniated disk or what not, but somewhere along the line there, that was the reason for the epidural."
Having defeated the Cavaliers in the Play-In Tournament, the Nets secured the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference to earn a matchup with the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.
Will Simmons take the court in the playoffs? Here's the latest news on when he could return.
MORE: Watch the NBA playoffs on Sling TV (U.S. only)
When could Ben Simmons return from injury?
On April 14, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that Simmons is targeting Games 4, 5 or 6 of Brooklyn's first-round matchup with Boston to make his Nets debut. Windhorst added that Simmons still wasn't playing five-on-five, but "the hope is by the end of the week he can ramp up to that."
"I have to report that it is possible we will see Ben Simmons in this series against the Celtics," Windhorst said.
The Athletic's Shams Charania reported the same — Simmons is targeting Games 4-6 for his return.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has since reported that Game 4 is looking like "a realistic target for his Brooklyn debut" based on how he's progressed in practices.
Based on Ben Simmons’ progress in practices this week – and the anticipation of him further accelerating in the coming days – Game 4 vs. Boston on Monday is looming as a realistic target for his Brooklyn debut, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 20, 2022
Game 4 (April 25) and Game 6 (April 29) will be played in Brooklyn while Game 5 (April 27) will take place in Boston.
The last time Simmons played was Philadelphia's Game 7 loss to Atlanta on June 20, 2021.
Who is starting in place of Ben Simmons?
Brooklyn's most-used lineup since the All-Star break has been Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, Bruce Brown, Kevin Durant and Andre Drummond. Should he start in his return, Brown is the most likely candidate for Simmons to replace.
A three-time All-Star, Simmons has career averages of 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game.
