Ben Simmons’ continuous back problems will keep him out of the game for the remainder of the regular season, the Brooklyn Nets confirmed Thursday morning.
“Ben Simmons will remain out for the remainder of the season while he consults with specialists and explores treatment options for the nerve impingement in his lower back,” the team stated in a statement. “Simmons, along with his representatives and Nets medical personnel, are currently in discussions with numerous experts to determine the course of action that will provide him with the best opportunity for long-term sustainable health.”
The ailment that sidelined Simmons for 38 straight games and has kept him out of action for the last five games has limited Simmons’ season-long availability to only 15 games.
With an average of 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists, Simmons shown his ability to both score points and create opportunities for 3-point shooters on the outside. However, he essentially refused to shoot anywhere other than directly in front of the hoop, shooting just 6 for 15 from the foul line in the 15 games this season.
For the 2024–2025 season, Simmons, 27, has a $40.3 million contract that will expire.
During his five seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, Simmons—who was selected as the number one pick in the 2016 NBA draft—was named to the All-Star team three times, the All-Defensive team twice, and the third team in 2021. However, he eventually requested a trade that summer after the 76ers and the Atlanta Hawks lost Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference playoffs at home, never regaining the lead when Simmons missed an easy basket in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter.
Before Philadelphia could trade him for James Harden in Brooklyn, he missed the remainder of the following season. The following season, Simmons played 42 games before his career ended prematurely due to more back problems. He ultimately ended up not playing for Brooklyn that season.
Including the Harden trade, Simmons will have appeared in 57 of the 190 games that he might have played for the Nets since joining the team.
