Despite a season full of turmoil, the Nets have qualified for the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Brooklyn fired Steve Nash seven games into the season, traded both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving at the February deadline, and has been without Ben Simmons since the All-Star break.
In the process, the Nets have found their next franchise cornerstone as Mikal Bridges has averaged 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game since being traded by the Suns in the deal that landed Durant.
Brooklyn only went 13-15 after trading Durant and Irving, but it covered enough ground in the first chunk of the season to still hold a playoff spot in the East. The Nets claimed the No. 6 seed, poised for a first-round matchup against the No. 3 seed 76ers.
When Brooklyn takes the floor for the playoffs, will Simmons be available to join his teammates? The Sporting News has the latest updates on the star guard's injury below.
What is Ben Simmons' injury?
Simmons was dealing with a knee injury that originally held him out after the All-Star break. One month later, on March 24, the Nets provided an update that Simmons had been diagnosed with "a nerve impingement in his back."
Ben Simmons Medical Update: pic.twitter.com/kRcxsjrHLG
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 24, 2023
This is not the first we've heard of this ailment, as Simmons missed the entire 2021-22 season with a back injury.
Will Ben Simmons play in the 2023 NBA Playoffs?
Days after the Nets announced Simmons' injury, head coach Jacque Vaughn ruled Simmons out for the remainder of the season.
The Nets have ruled out Ben Simmons for the remainder of the season. Simmons is beginning a rehab program on his back, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn says.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 28, 2023
Simmons appeared in 42 games this season, making 33 starts for Brooklyn. He averaged career lows across the board, posting 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
Nets 2023 NBA Playoffs schedule
Here is a look at Brooklyn's first-round schedule vs. Philadelphia:
| Date | Time (ET) | National TV | |
| Game 1 | April 15 | 1 p.m. | ESPN |
| Game 2 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 3 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 4 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 5 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
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
- 13.9 percent 3-point shooting
- 59.1 percent free throw shooting
