Ben Simmons: Brooklyn Nets star has 'back soreness', unable to make debut in Game 4 of series against Boston Celtics
The Brooklyn Nets host the Boston Celtics on Monday night as they look to avoid being swept
Monday 25 April 2022 09:07, UK
Those hoping to see Ben Simmons in a Brooklyn Nets shirt for the first time will be left disappointed after the Australian woke up with "back soreness".
The organisation are "surprised and disappointed", reports ESPN that he will be unable to feature after waking with pain on Sunday, following on-court work on Saturday.
Shams Charania of The Athletic had earlier reported that Simmons would miss Game 4, which was the game he was targeting fo his return to court.
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Simmons, a three-time All-Star and two-time All-Defense selection, was the centrepiece to arrive from the Philadelphia 76ers in the blockbuster trade which sent James Harden the other way and Brooklyn fans have yet to see him play due to a persistent back injury.
He has had to build up his fitness and recently received an epidural to help with the back pain and has been rehabbing ever since from a herniated disc.
Prior to the series beginning against Boston, Nets head coach Steve Nash said it was up to the player to declare when he would be available.
"It's up to Ben's back. It's not up to me or any of us other than his back and how we can help that resolve. Ben's a franchise cornerstone, but right now it's about supporting him physically and mentally to get back on the floor and coaching the group to put its best foot forward in the first few games of the series at least. But there's no - internally we're not sitting here saying, 'Ben's returning in this series.' We'll see what happens."
Simmons demanded a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers and refused to play this season as a stand-off between player and franchise manifested this season following a disappointing playoff loss to the Atlanta Hawks last season, which involved Simmons passing on an easy lay-up during crunch time.
He was also disappointed by comments from former team-mate Joel Embiid and head coach Doc Rivers in the wake of the defeat. All that is behind him now though and it looks like he's set for a new chapter with Brooklyn.
"We all know what type of player Ben is," Nets star Kevin Durant said Thursday, per CBS Sports. "You can put together scenarios in your mind on your own on what it would look like, but I'm not going to go there because we're just taking it a game at a time."
His defense and size could be helpful in providing the necessary help in trying to contain Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown as well as the rest of a Celtics team that is performing superbly so far in the series and can complete a season sweep with a win in Game 4.
Simmons' compatriot Patty Mills reckons the guard-forward, whom he's known since he was young, could potentially provide a huge boost for the Nets in the series.
"[He's] the ace in our back pocket," Mills said. "Whenever he does come, that will be a card to play that everyone will be excited for, and welcome with open arms because we become very powerful with that ace in the back pocket, but as of now we're going about our business and he's doing everything he can."
"There's obviously rehab and everything he's doing in the physio room, treatment room," Mills said. "Then on court, too, the plan is being set for him on how that looks. I think more importantly, it's been the conversations he's having about where he sees himself on the team and different parts of the floor, defensive and offensive end.
"I think he's very unique, and that's what makes us very strong when we do get him. I think he's a unique player, high IQ, great feel for the game, great passer and unbelievable defensive player that can guard anyone, so I think for many reasons, he will make us better."
Whether Nets fans will get to see that this season though, is yet to be determined and it is now looking unlikely given the Celtics' commanding lead – and potential to see out the series in Game 4 – as well as this latest injury setback.
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