The Brooklyn Nets are optimistic Ben Simmons will make his team debut during the first round of the NBA playoffs. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Nets optimistic Ben Simmons could return in first round of NBA playoffs

By Adam Stites | Last updated 4/10/22

The Brooklyn Nets are optimistic Ben Simmons will make his team debut during the first round of the NBA playoffs, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania, who says the team has been ramping up the point guard's training workload.

Simmons, 25, was acquired by the Nets in a blockbuster trade in February that sent James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers. While Harden has averaged 21.0 points, 10.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds in 21 contests with the 76ers, Simmons has yet to play a game with Brooklyn due to a back injury.

On Saturday, the Nets posted a video on Twitter that showed several players, including Simmons, making shots in practice.

Working on the weekend. pic.twitter.com/VSOY7Ivf0e
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 10, 2022

For Simmons to return in the first round of the playoffs, first the Nets have to get there. The team entered Sunday seventh in the Eastern Conference and is guaranteed to participate in the NBA play-in tournament for a spot in the postseason.

Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 6.9 assists, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals during his final season in Philadelphia. While he earned three straight All-Star nods, Simmons struggled in the 76ers' most recent trip to playoffs. In the final three games of the Eastern Conference Finals last year, Simmons made only six of 14 shot attempts for 19 points.

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