Ben Simmons out for remainder of regular season, play-in tournament
Not that it comes as any big surprise, but the Ben Simmons debut in Brooklyn still isn't happening anytime soon. Nets coach Steve Nash announced Monday that the team's newest addition will miss the rest of the regular season and the play-in tournament next week.
The 25-year-old point guard has become a fixture on Brooklyn's bench since being acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers at the trade deadline as he deals with a herniated disc in his back. While he has been spotted at practices, Nash said he isn't close to being healthy enough to play just yet.
"He's not running so yeah," Nash said, via ESPN. "I don't see him [being ready]. I would be shocked."
Nash did note, however, that Simmons being able to shoot and stretch with resistance bands is a step in the right direction.
"I mean that's a big progression just to get here," Nash said. "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."
While Nash is hopeful the Australian will take the floor at some point should the Nets advance in the playoffs, he was hesitant to give a timeline.
"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," Nash said. "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."
Brooklyn has four games left in their regular season, starting Tuesday against the visiting Houston Rockets.
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