Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons has a nerve impingement in his lower back and his status will be updated in a week.
Simmons hasn’t played since November 6.
Simmons dealt with back issues last season. The Nets would be wise to play it safe with the LSU product since his back issues have come up a lot in the past few years.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets Updates
The 27-year-old Simmons is averaging 6.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.8 blocks this season while shooting 52.8% from the field and 25.0% from the free-throw line. The Nets are 3-3 with Simmons in the lineup.
Simmons is making $37.9 million this season. He signed a five-year, $177 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in July 2019.
Simmons initially had a “terrible” relationship with Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn. The lefty dealt with injuries last season and was never on the same page as Vaughn.
“It was tough,” Simmons told Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “I was also injured, so I was also dealing with my own stuff and he was in a position where it’s a lot of pressure to come in and be the head coach. You still got expectations to help his team win. So, then there was just a lot of uncertainty.”
After last season, Vaughn made it a priority to connect with Simmons. Vaughn and Simmons were able to bond over the course of this past offseason. Vaughn went to Miami three times to watch Simmons work out.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets Updates
“I thought it was important for me to reestablish our relationship from the way it was introduced,” Vaughn said. “It was during a pretty tumultuous season with expectation, trauma and chaos, and we both were involved in it. And for me to hopefully let him know that [there were] no hard feelings my way. I was trying to set a standard for the program and that’s my responsibility as a coach and to let him know what my expectations were for him going forward and that I am pulling for him at the same time.”
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