NEW YORK — Ben Simmons is on the brink of returning but it won’t matter if his teammates don’t handle business in Game 3.
Simmons’ recovery plan includes one more pain-free workout Saturday before he’s cleared from his back injury, leaving Monday’s Game 4 as a strong possibility for the 25-year-old’s Nets debut.
However, the Nets also need to win Saturday to avoid going down 3-0 to the Celtics, a deficit never conquered in the NBA. Simmons’ impending return, in other words, adds another wrinkle and even higher stakes to Game 3 at Barclays Center, where Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will attempt to avenge their miserable performances in Game 2.
“I’m going to have another scrimmage (Saturday) and see how I feel,” Simmons explained.
Despite Brooklyn’s desperate predicament, coach Steve Nash scoffed at a question about Simmons’ possibly playing in Game 3. It was one of the more definitive statements from the coach during this lengthy back injury saga, with Nash often pleading ignorance to any updates or timelines. Now a return date is in focus and Nash made it clear the ramp-up won’t be hurried at the very end.
“It’s tough. I want to be on the floor playing,” Simmons said, “but the bigger thing when you have an injury like this you need to be cautious and not push yourself when you know you’ve had two good days, you don’t want to push yourself too much and have a setback or whatever it is. I’m aware of that. I’ve had this injury before. I’ve been aware of what I need to do and stay on top of that.”
So what happens if the Nets lose Saturday and fall in a 3-0 hole? Would the three-time All-Star still play in Game 4? Simmons wouldn’t answer.
“You are talking about ifs,” he said.
There are balancing acts at work. On one hand, there’s the allure of adding a versatile 6-foot-10 defender and transition threat, providing the Nets with the type of skill sets they’ve missed all season and during this Boston series. On the other hand, Simmons is recovering from a chronic back injury and required an epidural injection to heal. He said a new-found passion for Pilates should help alleviate the pain his back for the long run, but he’d also be jumping into the middle of an intense and physical playoff series after an 11-month layoff.
“Body-wise, once my body is ready, I want to be able to help this team win,” Simmons said. “That’s what I’m here for. It is what it is, I have to get on the floor and help this team win. I got traded to the Brooklyn Nets and that’s what they need me to do.”
There aren’t many precedents to Simmons’ circumstances and, as Nash noted, his impact is impossible to predict. Simmons hasn’t played since struggling with his game and confidence as a member of the Sixers last year’s playoffs. He left the impression of being scared to shoot, which triggered intense criticism around the league. Simmons then declined to play for Philadelphia while citing mental health issues, sparking a standoff that ended with the trade to the Nets.
The back pain quickly delayed his Brooklyn debut. Simmons was prohibited from contact practice until recently, saying Friday he only completed “two or three” scrimmages.
“I don’t know (what to expect from Simmons). I can’t answer that,” Nash said. “Does anyone here have the answer?
“We would be happy to have Ben play and try to play, but only when he’s ready. If he’s not, he’s not. We’re not in here just counting down the minutes until Ben is back. We want Ben to play when he’s ready to play and he wants to make an impact.”
Despite Nash trying to downplay the situation, this is all very significant for the Nets. GM Sean Marks traded an All-Star (James Harden) for Simmons and history tells us championship windows in the NBA can be slammed shut in an instant.
If the Nets don’t win Saturday, their great wild card in Simmons just becomes a meaningless 2 of clubs.
