Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons will likely be out for the rest of the common season because of a nerve impingement in his again, the group introduced Thursday. This is similar subject that the 27-year-old Simmons has been coping with all season as all events concerned are nonetheless attempting to find out the very best path ahead.
Right here is the Nets’ full release:
Ben Simmons will stay out for the rest of the season whereas he consults with specialists and explores therapy choices for the nerve impingement in his decrease again. Simmons, alongside together with his representatives and Nets medical personnel, are at present in discussions with quite a few consultants to find out the plan of action that may present him with the very best alternative for long-term sustainable well being.
After lacking the final 24 common season video games and the Nets’ total first-round playoff sequence final season with nerve irritation in his again, Simmons was declared wholesome heading into this marketing campaign. He performed simply six of their first seven video games earlier than his again points cropped up once more, nevertheless. That led to a 10-week spell on the sideline, and his return to motion on Jan. 29 proved to be short-lived. He appeared in 9 video games between then and Feb. 26 previous to being shut down once more.
Simmons’ agent, Bernie Lee, launched an announcement to SNY earlier this week taking the blame for his shopper’s persistent again issues.
“It’s a continuation of the identical harm that he has handled all 12 months,” Lee stated. “….We try to get clearer solutions as to methods to get him out of the reactive cycle he is in.
“…We proceed to attempt to discover non-surgical choices to permit Ben to maneuver ahead on a everlasting foundation and that’s the place that is my accountability and I’m [the] one accountable.
“After I started working with Ben I made a dedication to him that I’d do all the pieces I might to search out the suitable solutions and specialists for him to work with [in order] to maneuver ahead from the problems he has been having. Clearly it hasn’t occurred and that is my accountability.”
In 15 video games this season, Simmons averaged 6.1 factors, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists on 58.1% capturing from the sector. Till the Nets and Simmons’ camp resolve on a therapy plan, it is unimaginable to say when he could also be again on the courtroom. Simmons will likely be getting into the ultimate 12 months of the five-year, $177 million deal he signed whereas nonetheless a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, and is ready to be an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
As a result of numerous accidents and his holdout at the beginning of the 2021-22 season, Simmons has solely performed 115 video games since inking his max extension. Fifty-eight of them got here throughout that first, COVID-shortened season which led to embarrassment for each him and the Sixers. In the event you take away these, Simmons is at 57 video games within the final three seasons and has not accomplished any of them. He is already undergone one again surgical procedure in 2022 and might be dealing with one other.
At this level, Simmons’ days of being a star are lengthy gone, but when he can discover a option to keep on the ground he is proven that he can nonetheless be a productive, if restricted, participant.
