Rocio Robles
The addition of Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets was one of the most talked-about moves of the NBA season, as it not only ended the player’s NBA trade to the Philadelphia 76ers, but also included another NBA star: James Harden.
Simmons’ physical and mental state at the time raised serious worries about when he would be able to make his debut with his new team, something that could be set to happen at a critical juncture for one of the favored teams to win the NBA title this season.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the young Australian is expected to play next Monday, April 25, when Game 4 of the first-round series between the Nets and Boston Celtics takes place and which could be an elimination game. Brooklyn is currently down 2-0 in the series and if the third game is lost, Simmons would be playing his first NBA game since June 21 in an awkward situation.
Nets coach Steve Nash had already hinted at this possible return prior to Game 2 of the series on Wednesday.
“There’s no other way but just for him to say, ‘I’m ready.’ Especially after such a long absence. When he’s ready it will be up to him to say, ‘I feel comfortable. I feel ready to play. I want to play and I want to contribute.”
Steve Nash on when Ben Simmons might return
The 25-year-old has been out with a back injury since being acquired from the 76ers at the trade deadline and just earlier this week was declared ready for physical contact at team workouts. He also missed the entire first half of the season due to mental health issues.
“We can’t push him to do things being away for so long. It has to be something he’s definitely comfortable with and also ready to play.”
Steve Nash on Ben Simmons
While Ben Simmons may not have enough time to integrate offensively with the rest of the Nets, the one-time Rookie of the Year might be a significant defensive reinforcement against a Celtics team that has averaged 118 points per 100 possessions in the series thus far, the third-highest offensive rating among playoff teams this year.
Ben Simmons also averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 assists, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game over four seasons with the 76ers, accumulating three All-Star Game call-ups and two first-team All-Defensive selections in the league.
