The long-awaited return of Ben Simmons didn't go as planned.
After missing the entire 2021-22 season, Simmons was cleared to make his Nets debut on opening night of the 2022-23 season. He appeared in 42 of the team's first 58 games, but he posted career-low averages of 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists. He then suffered a knee and back injury, the combination of which kept him sidelined for the rest of the season.
It's been a slow road to recovery for Simmons, who has dealt with knee and back issues in the past. The three-time All-Star is looking to "dominate people" when he returns to the court again.
Here's how Simmons suffered his latest knee and back injuries and how they impacted his season.
Ben Simmons knee and back injury timeline
Feb. 24, 2023: The Nets list Simmons as questionable to play against the Bulls due to left knee soreness. He's eventually ruled out.
Simmons exited a game on Jan. 26 with left knee soreness. The injury sidelined him for five straight games. In the five games he played upon his return, he averaged 3.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 19.1 minutes.
March 3, 2023: Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn provides an update on Simmons.
"During his strengthening process, he did experience some back soreness. Now we're in the process of strengthening the knee while also managing the back.
"I'm really day-to-day on what it looks like going forward because of the addition of the back."
Vaughn adds that there haven't been any discussions of shutting Simmons down for the rest of the season.
March 24, 2023: The Nets announce that Simmons has been diagnosed with a nerve impingement in his back, adding that he will "remain out of action while we determine the best long-term course of treatment."
March 28, 2023: News breaks that Simmons has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Nets have seven games remaining in the regular season and have secured a spot in the playoffs.
April 22, 2023: The 76ers defeat the Nets in Game 4 to complete the first-round sweep.
July 10, 2023: Nets general manager Sean Marks says that Simmons is "in a great physical shape and also mentally" but still isn't playing 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 yet.
"We've got time. This is not something we're going to rush him back to play 5-on-5 in the next couple of weeks or so forth, but he's progressing. He'll be ready to go hopefully very, very soon."
Aug. 29, 2023: Simmons discusses his injury in an interview with Andscape's Marc J. Spears.
"I don’t think people realize how bad it was in terms of physically how I was feeling and what I was able to do on the floor," Simmons says about his back injury. "Being able to sit down now and not have to lean or slouch one way, it’s kind of crazy for me. But I feel I’m at 100 percent now.
"Right now, I’m just building back to where I’m playing. I haven’t played in a while. Just taking hits and getting my body used to that.
Simmons also reveals that he's been playing 2-on-2 for two weeks.
"We started from 1-on-1, minimal contact to start, and now it’s building up. I’m taking hits. I’m doing more movement. There’s some things I do on the court where I’ll do it, see how it feels, and then it’s like a process. Your brain’s relearning certain movements and things like that. But I’ve been feeling great and progressing well.
"So, we’re at 2-on-2 and we’re introducing more bodies on the floor. But I’m in a great place in terms of playing."
