‣ The Brooklyn Nets have ruled Ben Simmons out for the remainder of the 2023-24 season due to a left lower back nerve impingement injury, with the team and Simmons exploring treatment options.
‣ Simmons has played in just 57 out of a possible 190 games since being acquired by the Nets, earning $103.3 million during his tenure with the team, which equates to approximately $1.82 million per game.
‣ Despite his high earnings and limited playtime due to injuries, there is speculation that this could mark the end of Ben Simmons’ NBA career.
Ben Simmons Medical Update:
Ben Simmons will remain out for the remainder of the season while he consults with specialists and explores treatment options for the nerve impingement in his lower back. Simmons, along with his representatives and Nets medical personnel, are…
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets)
Details
The Brooklyn Nets dropped a bombshell Thursday morning. Guard Ben Simmons is officially out for the rest of the 2023-24 season. Why? A pesky left lower back nerve impingement injury.
“Ben Simmons will remain out for the remainder of the season,” the Nets’ statement read. He’s on a quest, consulting with specialists and exploring treatment options for that stubborn nerve impingement in his lower back.
Simmons, his reps, and the Nets’ medical team are knee-deep in discussions. They’re tapping into the brains of numerous experts. The goal? To chart the best course of action for Simmons’ long-term sustainable health.
Over on Twitter, the Brooklyn Nets gave us a quick update: Ben’s focusing on recovery and treatment. No games for him for the rest of the season.
Nets interim coach Kevin Ollie had been crossing his fingers for Simmons’ return. “He’s still day-to-day, still on the court. Hopefully, we can get him back soon,” Ollie said, eyes on the playoff prize in March and April.
But here’s the kicker: Simmons, at 27, has only graced the court for 15 games this season. That back of his? It sidelined him for 38 straight games from November to January.
Diving into the stats, Simmons has played in a mere 57 out of 190 possible games since joining the Nets. This season? Career lows across the board – 6.1 points, 5.7 assists, and just 23.9 minutes per game. Yet, he’s hitting a career-high 58.1% from the field. The foul line? A career-low at 40%.
Next season marks the final year of Simmons’ hefty five-year, $177.2 million contract. Remember, he inked that deal with the Philadelphia 76ers back in July 2019. The LSU alum is eyeing a cool $40.3 million for the 2024-25 season.
Simmons, standing tall at 6-foot-10, was the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Sixers. His resume? Three All-Star selections, two All-Defensive Team nods, and a third-team All-NBA honor during his Philly tenure.
A tweet from The Brooklyn Way puts it into perspective: Over three seasons with the Nets, Simmons has pocketed $103.3 million. That’s a staggering $1.82 million per game. Talk about hitting the jackpot.
Remember the 2021-22 season? Simmons sat it out with Philadelphia until a trade sent him to Brooklyn for James Harden. Then, back issues kept him from playing in the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
According to Basketball-Reference, Simmons hasn’t played at least 70 games in a season since the 2018-19 campaign with the 76ers. Last season, he managed 42 appearances before a similar back injury took him out of the game.
Since landing in Brooklyn via the Harden trade, Simmons has suited up for just 57 of a possible 190 games. By mid-April, he’ll have missed 67 games this season alone. Despite the limited appearances, Simmons has raked in $103.3 million with the Nets. That’s an eye-watering $1.82 million for each game he’s played.
This saga raises a big question: Is this the end of Ben Simmons’ NBA journey? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – it’s been a wild ride.
