The Nets announced on Wednesday that Ben Simmons will have surgery on his ailing back.
“After consultation with multiple back specialists, it has been determined that the best course of action for Ben’s long-term health is for him to undergo surgery,” The Nets said in a team statement. “The microdiscectomy procedure, scheduled for Thursday, is designed to alleviate pain caused by the herniated disc in Ben’s back. Further updates will be provided following the procedure.”
Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Simmons is expected to need three-to-four months to make a full recovery, and he’s expected to be ready to return “well ahead of training camp.”
Simmons was acquired by the Nets in the blockbuster James Harden trade with the Philadelphia 76ers prior to this year’s trade deadline. Simmons did not play for Philly, citing mental health concerns, and while he was revamping to play for Brooklyn, he suffered a back injury.
At first, it seemed minor, but the injury dragged on – Simmons received an epidural in March, and after the Nets said he would return for Game 4 of their first-round matchup against the Boston Celtics, he suffered a setback the day before, and was ruled out. Because of the sweep, Simmons did not play for the Nets this past season.
Without Simmons, the Nets were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.