The Nets acquired Ben Simmons in a blockbuster trade with the 76ers on Feb. 10, but the three-time All-Star has yet to make his debut with Brooklyn due to a back injury.
The No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Simmons has career averages of 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game. In addition to three All-Star selections, he's earned one All-NBA Third Team selection and two All-Defensive First Team selections.
Will we see Simmons in a Nets uniform this season? Here's everything we know about his injury and the latest news on how long he may be out.
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What is Ben Simmons' injury?
On March 21, Nets head coach Steve Nash said that Simmons has a herniated disk in his back.
The Nets announced a few days earlier that Simmons had received an epidural in the hope that it would help improve his back 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."
Steve Nash confirms that Ben Simmons is dealing with a herniated disc, which was the reason for his epidural
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) March 21, 2022
The Nets are still optimistic that Simmons will suit up this season pic.twitter.com/Wb1STdICy0
It was revealed at the end of February that Simmons was dealing with "back soreness" during the reconditioning process.
How long will Ben Simmons be out?
The latest from The Athletic's Alex Schiffer is that Simmons has been a limited participant in practice but has been ruled out for the rest of the regular season, which ends on April 10, and the Play-In Tournament, which ends on April 15.
Ben Simmons did more at practice today, but is still far from playing. Nash ruled him out for the rest of the regular season and the play-in.
— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) April 4, 2022
The Nets find themselves in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings heading into the last day of the regular season. To make the playoffs, they'll have to win one or two games in the Play-In Tournament, which is from April 12-15.
The 2022 NBA Playoffs are scheduled to start on April 16.
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, there's "optimism" that Simmons could make his debut in the playoffs should the Nets qualify.
Simmons and the Nets have been managing his back issue and have been on same page, and should he continue clearing ramp-up hurdles, he will be able to return — yes, in the playoffs. https://t.co/sr7l5mEZ2h
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 10, 2022
