Ben Simmons reportedly dealing with back soreness; Goran Dragic to make Nets debut vs Bucks

Ben Simmons has reportedly dealt with back soreness during his reconditioning process to work his way back to NBA.

According to Shams Charania, Simmons experienced some back issues as he’s preparing to make his debut for the season.

“It’s not like an injury,” Nash said via Nick Friedel of ESPN. “It’s just kind of like as he’s returning to play his back’s flared up a little bit. It’s not a long-term thing.”

- Advertisement -

Earlier this week, Nets’ GM Sean Marks revealed that Simmons’ return is a matter of weeks, not months.

Simmons was traded to Brooklyn by the Philadelphia 76ers at the trade deadline as part of the blockbuster deal that sent James Harden to the Sixers.

There’s no specific timetable for Simmons’ return, though the Nets are handling his reconditioning on a day-to-day basis, Charania reports.

Brooklyn is finding himself sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 31-29 record. Despite a hot start, Kevin Durant’s injury and Kyrie Irving’s availability at home derailed the Nets’ season.

Kevin Durant is planning to return from his MCL sprain within the next week, head coach Steve Nash said, per ESPN’s Nick Friedell.

The Nets still need Simmons’ production as the team tries to climb the standings in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn has lost eight of their last 10 games.

The three-time All-Star has proved he can be an impact player when healthy, averaging 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game in 2020-21. He was the runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year award last season.

Goran Dragic, Patty Mills and Seth Curry will continue to handle significant minutes in the perimeter due to the Simmons’ absence. Dragic is expected to make his debut in the game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Dragic has not played since Nov. 13, when he was a member of the Toronto Raptors.

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Related articles

Share article

Latest articles

Transfers and Rosters

Newsletter

Subscribe to stay updated.