Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons has a nerve impingement in his back and is sidelined indefinitely.
Simmons has missed the last three games with a hip contusion. His agent Bernie Lee announced Tuesday afternoon that he’s also experienced nerve irritation on the lower left side of his body and will miss more time. The Nets later announced in a statement that an MRI revealed a nerve impingement in the lower left side of his back. He’ll miss at least a week.
“Simmons will continue to receive treatment on both his hip and back,” the Nets’ statement reads. A status update will be provided in one week.”
The Nets did not expound further on a timeline.
Simmons’ career has been riddled by injury since the Philadelphia 76ers selected him with the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA draft. He missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury. He then missed the entire 2021-22 season while dealing with a back injury and a contract dispute with the 76ers. In the three seasons he’s played since 2019-20, Simmons hasn’t played more than 58 games in a single season.
In six games this season, Simmons has averaged 6.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists while shooting 52.8% from the field. Backup point guard Dennis Smith Jr. projects to see more playing time in Simmons’ absence.
