MY ACCOUNT
It is looking increasingly likely that Ben Simmons will play for the Brooklyn Nets this season after reports that he is targeting a return during his side’s first-round series against the Boston Celtics.
Shams Charania from The Athletic – who is also represented by Simmons’ agency, Klutch Sports Group – said the Nets are hoping the return comes around April 25-29, which coincides with Game 4, Game 5 and Game 6 of the series.
Simmons is yet to play at all this season after sitting out of the early portion of the season with the Philadelphia 76ers due to mental health reasons, and has been sidelined with a back injury since arriving with the Nets via trade.
While everything is trending positively for Simmons’ Nets debut to come in this year’s playoffs, superstar teammate Kevin Durant said he would believe it when he sees it.
“I’m not expecting him to play,” he said after practice on Thursday.
“That’s easier for me. I’m not putting any pressure on Ben to come out there and hoop.
“So I’m not expecting him to do anything but just to get his body right and get healthy as fast as he can – in my mind, I’m preparing as if we’re playing with the team we have.”
Head coach Steve Nash was non-committal when asked about Simmons’ chances.
“It’s up to Ben’s back,” he said.
“It’s not up to me, any of us, other than his back… there’s a chance Ben comes back, there’s a chance he doesn’t come back.
“So I think for us, we got to focus on the group; support Ben and his journey to get back on the floor, but at the same time we don’t have time to lose focus on the group that’s playing.
“Ben’s a franchise cornerstone – but right now it’s about supporting him physically and mentally to get back on the floor, and coaching the group to put its best foot forward in the first few games of the series at least.
“Internally, we’re not sitting here saying ‘Ben’s returning in this series’ – we’ll see what happens.”
