Ben Simmons is threatened with the early end of the season: The Brooklyn Nets forward was diagnosed with a pinched nerve in his back. The team announced this on Friday evening. This continues Simmons’ plague season.
The 26-year-old had been absent from the Nets since mid-February anyway, due to back and knee problems. An examination on Friday finally found the pinched nerve, the team said on Twitter: “He will continue to pause while we determine the best possible long-term treatment.”
A premature end of the season for Simmons cannot be ruled out. The Nets are currently seventh in the east with a record of 39-34 with nine games remaining in the regular season. The last game against the Philadelphia 76ers is on April 9th.
Last week, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn categorically ruled out an early end to Simmons’ season. “There’s no discussion about his retiring. We’re expecting him back.”
Simmons is a three-time All-Star, but has recently taken significant steps backwards. In the 2021/22 season he was not used at all, in the current season his statistics have plummeted (6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists on average). Before his injury, he had been benched from the starting five and only played an average of 17 minutes.
