The new-look Nets will have to continue to play without one of their core pieces in All-Star guard Ben Simmons.
Simmons has been dealing with left knee soreness this season and the 26-year-old appears to have reaggravated the injury. He returned from a five-game absence on Feb. 7 and played in Brooklyn's next five games, but he is now sidelined once again with the same injury.
When can the Nets expect Simmons to return to the lineup? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates below.
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What is Ben Simmons' injury?
In a loss to the Pistons on Jan. 26, Simmons exited in the third quarter with left knee soreness.
Ben Simmons is out for the remainder of tonight’s game due to left knee soreness.
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 27, 2023
It is unclear when exactly the injury occurred, but his left knee has been bothering him for the majority of the season.
Simmons is averaging 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists through 42 games for the Nets.
How long will Ben Simmons be out?
On Feb. 28, Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn denied any idea of shutting Simmons down for the season.
"No, that's a zero on that one," Vaughn told the media. "Go zero. Think I went zero last time, going zero again. No discussion," he bluntly concluded.
However, Vaughn did not offer a timetable for return, either.
On March 3, Vaughn provided an update on Simmons' status, telling reporters that in the process of strengthening his knee, the Aussie is now experiencing back soreness.
JV’s update on Ben Simmons:
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) March 3, 2023
“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.” pic.twitter.com/T4Ubzdp8VG
Simmons returned from a five-game absence due to left knee soreness on Feb. 7, appearing in five games before reappearing on the injury report. Over those five games, Simmons only averaged 19.1 minutes, posting 3.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
It is unclear when the 26-year-old will retake the floor for the Nets at this time.
Nets upcoming schedule
Here is a look at the next five games on Brooklyn's schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National TV |
| March 5 | vs. Hornets | 6 p.m. | — |
| March 7 | at Rockets | 8 p.m. | — |
| March 9 | at Bucks | 8 p.m. | — |
| March 10 | at Timberwolves | 8 p.m. | — |
| March 12 | at Nuggets | 3:30 p.m. | — |
Ben Simmons career stats, highlights
- 14.7 points per game
- 7.8 rebounds per game
- 7.5 assists per game
- 1.6 steals per game
- 0.7 blocks per game
- 3.2 turnovers per game
- 32.9 minutes per game
- 56.0 percent field goal shooting
- 59.1 percent free throw shooting
