The 2023-24 NBA regular season has been a bit of a bumpy ride to this point for the Brooklyn Nets. After getting blown out by the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, their record has dropped below the .500 mark to 13-14.
That was their fourth loss in a row and fifth out of the last six games. Right when it looked like they were figuring things out and turning a corner, they took a major step back. But, there is a chance things can get back on track as a game against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night is followed by a back-to-back set with the Detroit Pistons, who are on a 25-game losing streak.
While head coach Jacque Vaughn looks for some answers on the court, one player he knows he won’t be turning to any time soon is Ben Simmons. Simmons is dealing with a pinched nerve in his back and the team received a brutal update this week on his status.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons & Brooklyn Nets Updates
He will be sidelined until at least January, as he will be re-evaluated with an update provided in about two weeks. Simmons has not played since November 6th because of the injury after appearing in six out of the team’s first seven games.
He has now missed 21 games and counting, as the oft-injured former All-Star has had trouble staying on the court in recent seasons. After missing the entire 2021-22 campaign because of back and mental health issues, he missed a ton of time last season because of a balky back as well.
Simmons has never been the same since the 2021 postseason with the Philadelphia 76ers. He caught a lot of flack for his performance, which eventually led to him holding out and being part of the James Harden blockbuster which landed him in Brooklyn.
Simmons was looking comfortable in his role at the start of the season as the unquestioned starting point guard. Vaughn had made sure to make his role clear and was emphatic that he would find a way to make things work with him in the starting lineup.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons & Brooklyn Nets Updates
Through six games, Simmons averaged 6.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 31.8 minutes per game. He was beginning to look like someone who could help the Nets win basketball games with his two-way impact, but his body has let him down once again.
The former No. 1 overall pick will miss at least eight more games before he is evaluated again. After that, he will likely have some hurdles to clear before being cleared to return to the court and he will have to get his conditioning in check. Based on that, it is likely we won’t see Simmons back on the court with the Nets for at least three or four more weeks.
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