The Nets acquired Ben Simmons from the 76ers in a blockbuster trade on Feb. 10, but the three-time All-Star still hasn't made his Brooklyn debut. And it doesn't seem as though he will be coming off the bench any time soon.
On March 1, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Simmons was considered "week-to-week" because of back soreness. Windhorst revealed the Nets initially had a plan in place to bring back both Simmons and Kevin Durant, who was sidelined at the time after spraining his left MCL on Jan. 15, ahead of their matchup against the Sixers on March 10. Simmons' injury forced Brooklyn to "scrap" that plan.
When can we expect to see Simmons back on the floor? Here's everything we know about his status.
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When will Ben Simmons make his Nets debut?
The Athletic's Shams Charania told Pat McAfee on Feb. 28 that Simmons will need to "strengthen" the affected area of his back, but there is "hope and optimism" he will be able to join his new teammates on the floor before the end of the regular season.
On the March 6 edition of "NBA Countdown," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported there is "no chance" Simmons will play against his former team 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."
Nets schedule 2022
As of March 7, the Nets are sitting at No. 9 in the Eastern Conference with a 32-33 record. They have 17 games remaining on their regular-season schedule.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National TV |
| March 8 | at Hornets | 7 p.m. | — |
| March 10 | at 76ers | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| March 13 | vs. Knicks | 1 p.m. | ABC |
| March 15 | at Magic | 7 p.m. | — |
| March 16 | vs. Mavericks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| March 18 | vs. Trail Blazers | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| March 21 | vs. Jazz | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| March 23 | at Grizzlies | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| March 26 | at Heat | 8 p.m. | NBA TV |
| March 27 | vs. Hornets | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| March 29 | vs. Pistons | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| 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 | — |
