The Brooklyn Nets are set to take on the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of their first-round matchup in what will be an elimination game for the Nets.
They will do so without star guard Ben Simmons, who the team reported would not be playing after previously having Game 4 as a target date for his return.
The Nets desperately need something to change in this series if they want to advance to the next round, and many were hoping that Simmons could provide an X-factor for the team with his return. Instead, the team will rely on their stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to do something that no team in NBA history has ever done, which is to come back from a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series.
Head coach Steve Nash was asked on Monday about Simmons’ decision not to play in what could be the final game of the Nets season, and he replied with what most NBA fans were thinking.
“I wasn’t really expecting him to play,” said Nash.
While there were reports that Simmons was targeting Monday’s game as a return date, Nash added that these rumors were from sources outside the organization.
Steve Nash on Simmons being out for Game 4: “I mean, I wasn't really expecting him to play. Like we've said all along, he's trying to improve, he's working through it. Reports that he was playing were from the outside, I don’t know where that came from." #Nets
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) April 25, 2022
Nash has always been non-commital about Simmons’ availability throughout the season, but his comments have many wondering why the coach hasn’t been more forward about his situation.
Steve Nash definitely doesn’t seem like one of those “tell it like it is” guys. Beating around the bush at every corner. https://t.co/mIvShN5jtj
— Satchel Price (@SatchelPrice) April 25, 2022
Steve Nash looking mighty flustered. https://t.co/UiiLEUyUpG
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) April 25, 2022
Steve Nash is done with this https://t.co/5TYokY8U1C
— Josh Schrock (@Schrock_And_Awe) April 25, 2022
No doubt, this will be viewed by Ben Simmons and his enablers and Steve Nash not having his back. It’s amazing to watch the Nets make every mistake including trading for Simmons. #nba https://t.co/jPNN7ahqdr
— Gerald Webb (@GeraldWebb) April 25, 2022
If the Nets do end up falling to the Celtics, it will certainly raise questions as to what the team would look like if they still had James Harden, who was traded for Simmons earlier this season.
While the Philadelphia 76ers are looking likely to advance to the second round and the Brooklyn Nets facing elimination against the Celtics, it is getting harder and harder to defend trading for a player that could be seen by some as damaged goods in Simmons.
[SNY Nets]
