Ben Simmons received an epidural injection for his lower back and will be reevaluated in about two weeks, tweets Brian Lewis of The New York Post. A statement from the Nets said Simmons’ condition is improving and he will “continue with treatment and strengthening exercises while gradually increasing his basketball activity.”
Coach Jacque Vaughn told reporters before tonight’s game that Simmons was given the epidural this week and he still isn’t able to run at full speed, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN (Twitter link).
Simmons has been sidelined since November 6 due to a nerve impingement in his lower left back. He had been dealing with similar issues for the past three years, and back pain played a role in limiting him to 42 games last season.
Simmons proclaimed himself fully healthy this summer and he got off to a strong start before the injury flared up. In the six games he played, he averaged 6.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists while looking more mobile and explosive than he has for some time.
Brooklyn has managed to tread water without Simmons and currently sits in a tie for ninth in the East at 9-9. The Nets have six games scheduled over the next two weeks, including tonight’s contest with Orlando. The soonest Simmons might return is December 16 at Golden State.
No one could have seen this coming…
Low key ending his career early. “I could’ve been one of the best if it wasn’t for my back injuries ending my career early”.
2 weeks away from being 2 weeks away
Bruno would be a better choice right now
Is he pregnant?
lmaoo. Was wondering if someone would make this joke. So glad to see it.
He shouldn’t even get minimum contracts after this one runs out. He won’t play and wouldn’t even sign for minimum if those were the only offers and would just reitre. Brooklyn has only gotten 48 games from this turd. It’s been a gigantic fleece of a trade by the 76ers to get harden for him even tho he didn’t win anything there. He should cost 2 unprotected 1sts just to eat his contract if Brooklyn ever wants to move him.
Sometimes I forget he’s still in the league
I would have been the first to criticize Simmons for being soft up until about 4 months ago. Herniated a disc doing deadlifts. It mostly healed, but then I caught a cold and for some reason it came raging back 10x worse than the initial injury. Full blown sciatica. Foot has been numb for a month. Hoping to get an epidural and/or microdiscectomy soon. This garbage just doesn’t heal on its own.
Great screen name, not great attempt at a parallel unless you’ve also gotten paid hundreds of millions to sit on your backside and not play, for a variety of reasons.
That being said, I’m sorry for your back, those injuries as you know are no joke. I hope it heals.
Back problems are tough. Hang in there. I’d 100% do the epidural first.
Retire!
needs 5 more seasons for the max pension.
Crazy that him missing this much time would still count towards service.
im probably wrong, but he’s been in the league seven seasons and i don’t think his first season counted or the season he sat out till he was traded to the nets and didn’t play. Need ten years of service for that $220k pension.
Lil Benji BenBen is hurty hurthurted again? Unbelievable.
I’ve long been one of Ben’s bigger defenders…and I still think at his best he was a top 25 player…but that has been so long ago I am not sure he can ever get back to being what he was. It’s a shame mental or physical or both he just can’t stay healthy or play at a high level anymore. Hoping he turns it around but I’m not feeling it
Ben: “Joel sat out a whole season. I played 42 last year… six this year… so, that’s 2 seasons in a row I’ve played… What’s the problem?”
I wonder if the Nets and Bulls could pull off a trade?
Simmons for LaVine
Now before Bulls fans quip about this think about it in the long run and Simmons could be someone off the Bench for the team if and when healthy and the Nets get LaVine and his contract!!!
Between him and Ball they’d have 2 permanently disabled guys. As a Bucks fan, I’m all for it, but I can’t see the Bulls being quite that dumb.
We still haven’t been told. How he hurt his back in the first place. It was fine after they lost in playoffs (Sixers). It was fine when the season started in Philly. Then he shows up in NY with a herniated disc. I like Ben. But he’s starting to lose me.
Between mental health and physical health issues, Ben Simmons has been as reliable as a toothpick being used as a wood screw