Nets general manager Sean Marks said Wednesday that "all signs point to" Simmons (back) being available to start next season's training camp, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.
Simmons underwent a successful microscopic partial discectomy in mid-March to alleviate the nerve impingement in his lower back, marking yet another injury-related setback for the 2017 No. 1 overall pick. The 27-year-old has played in only 57 games across the last three seasons, but when available, he has shown he can still be an active defender and excellent playmaker. Simmons has one more year remaining on his current contract, a five-year extension he signed with Philadelphia in 2019.
Simmons underwent a successful microscopic partial discectomy Thursday and is expected to make a full recovery for training camp next season, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
Simmons discectomy will work to alleviate the nerve impingement in his lower back. Removing part of the problematic disc in Simmons' lower spine addresses the root cause of the series of injuries that limited him to just 15 appearances this season. The 27-year-old has suited up for just 57 contests across the last three campaigns, and his body breaking down has been a serious matter over that span. Simmons teases rare two-way play at his size for a ballhandler, but a lengthy rehab and re-strengthening process will now ensue in advance of the 2024-25 campaign -- for which he is owed $40.3 million by Brooklyn in the final year of his contract.
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Nets' Ben Simmons: Shut down for season
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The Nets announced Thursday that Simmons will miss the remainder of the season while he consults with specialists and explores treatment options for the nerve impingement in his lower back.
Simmons had previously missed the Nets' final 24 games of the 2022-23 season as well as their first-round playoff series loss to the 76ers with nerve irritation in his back. He was declared healthy heading into the 2023-24 campaign, but after appearing in six of the Nets' first seven contests, he proceeded to miss the next 38 games with a left lower back impingement before he returned to action in late January. Simmons then saw action in nine games over about a month-long period, but he missed time with left leg soreness before the back injury cropped up again earlier this month. With Simmons having not responded to rest and rehab as well as the Nets had hoped, he'll now be shut down for the season while he looks toward a more permanent fix for the problem. Surgery or a procedure of some sort could certainly be in the cards for Simmons, potentially putting his long-term NBA outlook in question. He's now played just 57 games over the last three regular seasons, and he'll be entering the final season of a five-year, $177.24 million contract in 2024-25. Over his 15 appearances for Brooklyn this season, the 27-year-old averaged 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks in 23.9 minutes per game while shooting 58.1 percent from the field, but he didn't put up a three-point attempt and connected on just six of his 15 free-throw tries (40 percent).
Simmons (back) is out for Thursday's game versus the Pistons.
Simmons' absence streak will extend to six games Thursday due to a left lower back nerve impingement. While there is no timetable for his return, Simmons' next chance to suit up is Saturday's matchup with Charlotte.
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Nets' Ben Simmons: Remains out Tuesday
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Simmons (back) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the 76ers, Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Simmons missed three straight games due to leg soreness and is now slated to miss a second consecutive contest due to a left lower back nerve impingement. A similar issue caused Simmons to miss 10 weeks earlier in the season, but the current one is reportedly less severe, and he's considered day-to-day, though he hasn't undergone an MRI yet, per NBA Insider Ian Begley. Either way, it's another disappointing setback for the oft-injured point guard, who's appeared in just 57 games since the 2020-21 season.
Simmons (leg/back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Grizzlies, Meghan Triplett of YES Network reports.
Simmons was initially listed as questionable due to leg soreness, which already cost him three games, but he has been downgraded to out and is now being listed with a left lower back nerve impingement. The same issue sidelined Simmons for multiple weeks earlier in the campaign, so he may be looking at another lengthy absence. Cam Thomas (ankle) remains out, so Dennis Schroder, Lonnie Walker and Dennis Smith are all candidates for increased roles versus Memphis.
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Nets' Ben Simmons: Listed as questionable
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Simmons (leg) is questionable for Monday's game against the Grizzlies.
Simmons has missed three straight games due to leg soreness. With Cam Thomas (ankle) already ruled out, Dennis Schroder will likely draw another start, regardless of Simmons' availability. Simmons has made nine appearances since Jan. 29, averaging 18.7 minutes during those contests.
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Nets' Ben Simmons: Out Saturday
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Simmons has been ruled out for Saturday's matchup against the Hawks due to left leg soreness.
Simmons will miss a third straight game due to leg soreness. An erroneous report said Simmons was now dealing with left knee soreness, but that has since been corrected. The point guard's next chance to suit up will come Monday versus Memphis, while Dennis Schroder will likely remain in the starting lineup Saturday.
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Nets' Ben Simmons: Out Saturday
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Simmons will not play in Saturday's matchup with the Hawks due to left knee soreness, Evan Barnes of Newsday reports.
Simmons was originally diagnosed with left leg soreness, but it is now being phrased as a knee issue. His absence will mark his third straight game missed. As a result, Dennis Schroder will presumably remain in the starting five at point guard. The LSU product's next chance to suit up will come Monday versus the Grizzlies.
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Nets' Ben Simmons: Iffy against Atlanta
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Simmons (leg) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game versus the Hawks, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.
Simmons is in danger of missing his third straight contest due to left leg soreness. If Simmons is ruled out, Dennis Schroder will likely remain in Brooklyn's starting five.
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Nets' Ben Simmons: Ruled out for Thursday
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Simmons (leg) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Atlanta, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.
Simmons continues to manage a sore left leg and will be unavailable for a second consecutive matchup. Cam Thomas (ankle) will also be sidelined, so Dennis Smith and Dennis Schroder are candidates to see increased roles for the Nets on Thursday.
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Nets' Ben Simmons: Added to injury report
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Simmons is now listed as questionable for Thursday's game versus the Hawks due to left leg soreness.
Simmons continues to deal with nagging left leg soreness that has him in danger of missing his second straight contest. Day'Ron Sharpe and Dennis Smith are candidates to receive increased playing time if Simmons remains out.
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Nets' Ben Simmons: Available for Thursday
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Simmons (knee) will be available for Thursday's game against the Hawks, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.
Simmons will return from a one-game absence, and it'll be interesting to see if he gets a start, as Cam Thomas (ankle) is sidelined. However, even as a starter, he typically logs minutes in the low 20s, so he's still not the most attractive fantasy asset.
