Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons will miss the remainder of the 2022/23 NBA season to rehabilitate his recurring back injuries.
On Friday, the Nets announced the point guard was diagnosed with a nerve impingement in his back and would remain out indefinitely. A day later, Brooklyn head coach Jacque Vaughn suggested Simmons would be out for the rest of the year, telling reporters: “We're going to lean into the specialist and the consultation, and I think those answers will come from the specialists.”
However, Vaughn confirmed on Tuesday that the team is shutting Simmons down for the rest of the year. When asked about the three-time All-Star’s status, Vaughn said: “Ben will not be joining us the rest of the year.”
After being ruled out for the rest of the season, Simmons is set to begin a rehab program on his back. Vaughn believes team doctors and specialists expect him to make a full recovery.
The nagging back issues was a concern when Simmons experienced problems that saw him sit out the entire 2021/22 season. While he eventually underwent surgery to directly deal with it, back issues can linger for some time - and the problem appears to have returned.
There are reportedly fears within the Nets organisation over whether the former Philadelphia 76ers superstar can ever rediscover his best form. His performances since arriving in Brooklyn have perhaps strengthened those fears, as he averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists in his first season with the franchise across just 42 games.
Simmons’ time with the Nets has gone from bad to worse and he is still under contract for two more seasons given he is in the third year of a five-year deal worth $177million. Earlier this month, the 26-year-old split with Klutch Sports Group, the agency who had represented him since before he was selected first overall in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Given his contract, the Nets will simply have to hope Simmons can rediscover his best form if and when he returns to action in the 2023/24 NBA season. Once he returns, the guard may be able to rebuild his trade value.
Simmons’ Nets are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference with seven games remaining in the regular season. Brooklyn own a 40-35 record and take on the lowly Houston Rockets in their next contest on Wednesday night.
