Ben Simmons 'couldn't walk' the morning of Game Four

Everything about the Nets and Simmons last season was a story, after Simmons refused to play for Philadelphia and was traded to Brooklyn for James Harden, while Kyrie Irving became the poster boy for the unvaccinated and Kevin Durant argued with everyone on the internet. After the Game Four injury, Ric Bucher reported that Simmons left a team's group chat after teammates asked if he was playing, a report later refuted by Shams Charania.

Simmons had back surgery in May, which should have put to rest the idea he was malingering in the playoffs. It already seemed ill-advised for Simmons to start playing in the very last game of the season with the Nets one game away from elimination.

Regardless, Simmons said he "feels great" physically, so fans will have to move on to another Simmons issue: His unwillingness to take three-pointers.