APRIL 21: Simmons plans to make his Nets debut in Game 4 on Monday as long as he has no setbacks between now and then, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
APRIL 20: Game 4 of the Nets‘ series vs. Boston on Monday appears to be a “realistic target” for Ben Simmons to make his Brooklyn debut, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter links).
As Wojnarowski explains, the possibility of Simmons returning for Game 3 on Saturday hasn’t been ruled out, but there may not be enough time for the three-time All-Star to clear all the hurdles he needs to by then. Based on his progress in practices this week and the expectation that he’ll continue to further accelerate his ramp-up process in the coming days, Game 4 is a more viable target date, Woj says.
Acquired in February’s James Harden blockbuster, Simmons has yet to suit up for the Nets, largely due to a herniated disk in his back. But he has been making steady forward progress in his recovery from that injury since receiving an epidural last month, and participated in a 4-on-4 scrimmage this week for the first time since becoming a Net.
Head coach Steve Nash has consistently stressed that there’s no timeline for Simmons’ return and repeatedly told reporters that the 25-year-old still has to go through several stages of the ramp-up process before being cleared. However, while he reiterated on Wednesday that the team doesn’t have a set timeline for Simmons, Nash shifted his tone a little and hinted that a return could be close.
“There’s no other way than him to say, ‘I’m ready,'” Nash said when asked about a timetable, per Nick Friedell of ESPN. “Especially after an absence this long. So whenever he is ready, it’s going to have to be on him to say, ‘I feel comfortable. I feel ready to go. I want to play and I want to contribute.’
“We can’t push him places when you have been out this long. It’s got to be something where he is definitely comfortable and ready to play.”
Before arriving in Brooklyn, Simmons sat out the entire season as a Sixer due to mental health issues and a desire to be traded. He hasn’t played since last June when Philadelphia was eliminated by Atlanta in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. If he returns during the Nets/Celtics series, Simmons will almost certainly play a more limited role than he did with the 76ers.
God I hope his next game is as awful as his last one.
Personally I hope he rolls off a screen and coldly Knicks down a pull up game winning 3.
I don’t see him knicking down a pull up any time soon.
Guess I comment too much on here when auto complete wants to type Knicks when I put in the letters K-N to start a word. Honestly I don’t see him KNOCKING down a pull up 3 either….just sayin’
Just messin’
Wouldn’t Knicking a three mean to miss it? New slang for brick or airball? “Man I really Knicked that one, how embarrassing!”
I think its a British thing actually…
Is that the Knicks problem? They’ve been playing British basketball for the last 20+ years? It all makes sense now.
Ben likes being an NBA player more actually playing in the NBA.
This is an awful decision by the Nets if they let him play. Add a guy to your rotation that hasn’t played a game in a year basically, let alone for your team or in your system in game 4 of the playoffs. Yikes! Has ugly written all over it.
All he needs to do is make some passes, play defense, and make plays at the rim. It’s not rocket science.
Yes, he’ll be rusty but they could still use him.
Umm, the Nets are down 2-0. What continuity and “system” could Simmons possibly screw up? They need an infusion of talent and defense and passing and rebounding.
Besides that, he’s not suddenly “in the rotation.” He’s going to show up for some spot duty and hopefully provide positive energy. If it’s not happening, he plays only 10-12 minutes. That’s not part of the rotation yet.
Who comes out of the lineup?
I would imagine Simmons would be playing 15 minutes a game or so, not starting.
he won’t be playing the last 15mins …aka hack-a-Ben-athon
If it’s 92-67 (either way), you’ll see Ben.
If you are the celtics do you immediately go to the Hack-a-Ben strategy or is that too insensitive towards his inner feelings?
Seriously. It was too much pressure for him to play regular-season games on the road against the Rockets but now he is gonna step in?
See i am with you on this.
I think its colossally stupid to put Ben Simmons in a playoff game to guard Super Hot Jason Tatum when he has not played a game in almost a year.
Just effing crazy. Tatum is licking his chops as the saying goes.
Tatum went 5-16 for 19pts in game 2. It’s not that Tatum’s been super hot at least offensively it has more to do with Tatum’s efforts defensively as Durant has gone 13-31 in the first two games.
I think you have to try it
Hope he has his bear ready to hug on the bench
Sick of this guy…….glad the Twolves never traded for his head case prima donna act.
Like Orien above said….how can he be playoff ready if he couldn’t play against one of the worst teams in the NBA just a few weeks b4?
“how can he be playoff ready if he couldn’t play against one of the worst teams in the NBA just a few weeks b4?”
Uhh, maybe because a few weeks have passed since then? What kind of inane question is that?
Not trying to defense Simmons, but some of these comments are just silly. If you’re the Nets, why on Earth would you have not had him back out there for Game 1 if he was healthy? This is not the time for politics or narratives.
Next article : Simmons out until next season
I hope Simmons come back and plays average of 15 minutes with 12.3 points 5 rebounds 6 assist while helping the Nets to the conference finals. Just to get these Philly fans something more to cry about! Go Ben Simmons!
I don’t think the BKN FO – or coaching staff – is of a mind to coddle him (in truth, they didn’t want any part of him or the deadline trade that got him here).
Of course, he’ll have to say he’s ready, but BKN will do what’s right for the team. Odds are, if BKN is down 3-0, they’ll throw him out there for all the minutes he can handle. Down 2-1, he’ll see some real time. Up 2-1, very little.
The hatred in here is disgusting!!!
Y’all should be ashamed of yourselves & the administrators for allowing it, a disgraceful shame!
You always stick up for Simmons on here. Seriously why? After all the charades from him. Why?
‘Cause he is a fantastic player as simple as!
The question is why don’t you?
You’re blind.
He’s the equivalent of a cheating woman, don’t care how fine she is… she’s for the streets.
Who is this “Ben” guy?
That’s smart. This way his play can’t be blamed on the impending sweep.