NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets swingman Ben Simmons is not going to be making his season debut within the common season as he continues to cope with a herniated disk problem in his again, Nets coach Steve Nash stated after Monday’s observe. Nash added that whereas he stays hopeful that Simmons will return in some unspecified time in the future within the playoffs, he can be “shocked” if Simmons performed within the Nets’ play-in recreation subsequent week.
“He’s not running, so yeah,” Nash stated. “I don’t see him [being ready]. I would be shocked.”
After requesting a commerce from the Philadelphia 76ers final summer time, citing psychological well being considerations, Simmons was lastly dealt to the Nets simply earlier than the commerce deadline in February however has not been in a position to play due to ongoing points together with his again. Nash stated that Simmons truly made progress Monday by having the ability to shoot and beginning to do some work with resistance bands, however the group nonetheless has no concept when, or if, Simmons would possibly have the ability to play this season.
“I mean that’s a big progression just to get here,” Nash stated. “So he was doing nothing on the floor. But obviously he clearly started strengthening and doing some light shooting. So super positive on one hand; on the other hand, it’s not like … we’re expecting him in the lineup in the next week.”
Nash stated just lately that he would not have an issue with Simmons making his debut in a playoff recreation even when he hadn’t performed all 12 months. He additionally made it clear Monday that the Nets would take each precaution earlier than placing him again on the ground.
“If he had played 65 games, this year and we’re going into the playoffs, and he had a few weeks injury, maybe [you’d think about rushing the normal progression],” Nash stated. “But, I think in this situation, we got to put his health and safety first and make sure that we’re certain he’s ready to play and contribute. And the other part is he hasn’t played basketball, so you don’t know what kind of Ben you get. And he hasn’t been in an NBA game for, you know, nine to 10 months.”
Simmons’ teammates and coaches have repeatedly stated he stays in good spirits in his new environment, however they simply do not know when he’ll have the ability to return to the ground. The Nets at the moment sit in tenth place within the Jap Convention with a 40-38 file. Nash demurred when requested how real looking it might be to assume Simmons may come again and play within the first spherical if the Nets have been in a position to advance that far.
“We’ll see,” Nash stated. “I don’t want to get too far down the road, like, I don’t want to walk through the next five weeks with you guys and guessing — you guys saw where he is today. He’s doing some increased strengthening, some increased mobility stuff, a little bit of shooting and that’s it.”
So far as the remainder of the Nets’ accidents, Bruce Brown went by way of Monday’s observe and is anticipated to play Tuesday towards the Houston Rockets after lacking Saturday’s loss to the Atlanta Hawks due to a non-COVID sickness. Guard Goran Dragic (well being and security protocols) stays in Atlanta, and it’s unclear when he’ll have the ability to return.
Nash additionally admitted that the Nets have mentioned the opportunity of shutting down guard Seth Curry for the final 4 video games of the common season as he continues to cope with left ankle soreness.
“That’s the position we’re in, is do we try to sit him?” Nash stated. “Does him sitting for a week help? Or is he right back in the same boat anyways? And how important is it for us to try to creep up into the seven, eight spot? So we’re weighing all those things and it’s kind of more daily than it is making a decision.”
