The Ben Simmons experiment for the Brooklyn Nets has been a complete disaster thus far. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear to be getting better anytime soon after a horrible injury update emerged on Friday.
Simmons has been out since February 15th due to lingering knee and back soreness. The back appears to be the more significant injury, and it now seems like it may be a long-term injury.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, The Nets have determined that Simmons has nerve impingement in his back and will remain out while they come up with a treatment plan for him.
Nets say Ben Simmons now has nerve impingement in his back and will remain out of action while sides determine best course of treatment.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 24, 2023
His back has been a pretty constant ailment for him throughout his NBA career. He notably missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a mixture of a back injury and issues with the Philadelphia 76ers organization.
It is certainly a concerning report on Simmons, and many offered their opinion on the injury on social media.
Let’s be real: Ben Simmons may never play again. https://t.co/hcA2VAwcgF
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) March 24, 2023
I’m sad for Ben Simmons. I’m not going to really get into any of it but sad his career went this way.
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) March 24, 2023
I think there is a legitimate chance Ben Simmons never steps on an NBA floor again https://t.co/YDs19a38D9
— Sean Barnard (@Sean_Barnard1) March 24, 2023
It really might be a done deal for Ben Simmons. 😬
— D’Courtland Christian (DC) (@Dcrealspill) March 24, 2023
Ben Simmons hasn’t played since February 15. Seems unlikely he plays again this season. https://t.co/o3palc8PFo
— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) March 24, 2023
His inability to stay on the court in recent years has obviously been a problem. But it might be his production drop-off on the court when he has played this season that is an even bigger concern.
Ben Simmons has struggled to produce this season, averaging just 6.9 points along with 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting an abysmal 43.9 percent from the free-throw line. All three are career lows for the three-time All-Star.
Considering the Nets once traded James Harden for Simmons, they certainly have to be disappointed at how his tenure has turned out to this point.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.