Ben Simmons is poised for a comeback to NBA action with the Brooklyn Nets, making his return in the upcoming game against the Utah Jazz on Monday. This development follows Simmons’ limited participation this season due to a left lower back nerve impingement, which restricted him to only six games.
Simmons was initially designated as probable for Monday’s matchup against the Utah Jazz.. He engaged in a practice session with the Nets’ G-League team on Saturday, performing well enough to lead Brooklyn’s coach, Jacque Vaughn, to express optimism about Simmons’ likelihood of playing on Monday.
The Nets later upgraded Simmons to available for their matchup against the Jazz. He last played on November 2, 2023, when he recorded two points, 15 rebounds, and four assists in 33 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks. He’s dealt with a back injury caused by a pinched nerve.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets Updates
The injury has caused Simmons to miss 38 games this season. In the few games he has played, his performance averaged 6.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. However, his scoring has been hampered by his limited shooting range; he hasn’t attempted any 3-pointers and made only one free throw out of four attempts.
“I just want to have an impact. I want to come in and win games,” Simmons said Saturday. “We haven’t been winning lately. So it’s one of those things where we have to get back on track. I’m looking forward to just playing my role and helping this team win.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Simmons’ struggle with injuries isn’t new, as it mirrors his previous season with Brooklyn, where he was limited to 42 games. Earning $37.9 million this season, with a guaranteed $40.3 million for the next, his high salary combined with his injury record makes trading him a challenging prospect for the Nets. Any potential trade would likely require Brooklyn to include additional incentives.
