Brooklyn Nets’ point guard Ben Simmons seems to be in a perpetual struggle with injuries. The 27-year-old was forced to sit out the latter part of Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to leg soreness, as reported by Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
Before his departure, Simmons managed to tally four points, nine rebounds, and one assist within a 15-minute span.
Injuries have plagued Simmons throughout his NBA tenure. The first overall pick in the 2016 draft missed the entirety of the 2016-17 season due to a foot injury and was sidelined for the 2021-22 campaign owing to back troubles.
Even during the 2022-23 season, he was limited to just 42 games due to a nerve impingement in his back. His appearance in Saturday’s game marked only the 14th game he played in the 2023-24 season.
Throughout this season, Simmons has grappled with a pinched nerve in his lower back, leading to a three-month absence from November to January. Additionally, he has had to contend with knee issues, further hindering his consistency on the court.
Concerns arise regarding Simmons’ effectiveness when he does play, prompting speculation about whether the Nets benefit from his absence. Furthermore, doubts linger about his ability to return to his former All-Star caliber performance.
As of Saturday’s game, Simmons’ statistics reflect a downturn, with averages of 6.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, while shooting 59.1 percent from the field.
Should Simmons require more time off, the Nets will lean on Lonnie Walker IV, Dennis Smith Jr., Dennis Schröder, in addition to Cam Thomas, Mikal Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Nic Claxton.
With a current record of 21-34, Brooklyn finds themselves positioned 11th in the Eastern Conference standings as they navigate through Simmons’ recurrent injury setbacks.
