Shortly after returning from one injury, Ben Simmons suffered yet another injury.
Simmons has had chronic back problems for several years and was limited to 49 games as a Brooklyn Net after joining the team almost exactly two years ago.
After missing the past 38 games due to persistent back issues (he underwent surgery on May 5, 2022), the 2016 No. 1 pick returned to the Nets’ lineup on Monday and shined.
He had 10 points and 11 assists and was two rebounds away from a triple-double.
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Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on January 29, 2024. (Sarah Steer/Getty Images)
However, Simmons suffered a left knee contusion in the game and will not play in Wednesday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns.
Simmons was sidelined this time last year due to soreness in his left knee. But even as it began to subside, inflammation developed in his back, causing him to miss the remainder of the season.
Simmons was traded to Brooklyn from the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the blockbuster trade for James Harden.
Brooklyn Nets injured guard Ben Simmons, 10, watches from the bench during the third quarter of a game against the New York Knicks on March 1, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Brad Penner/USA Today Sports)
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At the beginning of the 2022-23 season, the Nets were reportedly upset with Simmons’ ability and effort. He appeared in 42 of 82 games that season, and his last game was on February 15, 2023.
Last season, he averaged career-low averages of 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. He previously averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 boards and 7.7 assists per game and was a three-time All-Star with Philadelphia.
All of this is happening while Simmons is on a $177 million contract that expires after next season.
It’s unclear how long Simmons will be sidelined, but history is not in his favor.
Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets comes off the bench during the second quarter of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center in New York City on October 31, 2022. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
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After Wednesday night, Simmons will miss 112 of his 161 games as a Net.
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