Ben Simmons diagnosed with a nerve impingement in his back and may not return this season

Injured Net Ben Simmons nonetheless hasn’t began practising totally but, restricted to particular person work.

And if Brooklyn’s newest replace on the Australian is something to go by, it appears to be like like he gained’t be stepping again on the courtroom this season.

The Nets introduced on Saturday that Simmons has been recognized with a nerve impingement in his again and can stay sidelined because the crew determines one of the best long-term course of therapy.

It comes after coach Jacque Vaughn mentioned earlier that he hadn’t allowed himself to consider whether or not there’s time for Simmons to stand up to hurry together with his teammates even when he does get wholesome.

“That’s the great thing, is I don’t even think that far ahead. I don’t even complicate my life that way,” Vaughn mentioned.

“I’m concerned about [now]. If those questions present themselves, I’ll be more than willing to see how it fits with the group and answer them at that time. But I don’t want to look that far ahead.”

Friday’s 116-114 loss to Cleveland marked the fifteenth straight that Simmons has missed with left knee and again soreness.

He hasn’t performed since February 15, getting PRP injections earlier than the All-Star break and nonetheless making an attempt a return to the courtroom.

To date, Simmons has managed solely particular person work, however no crew drills.

“It is not with teammates, so I’ll say that piece of it. So, he hasn’t scripted with our group, our second group, first group, or anything of that nature,” mentioned Vaughn, who mentioned the injured level/ahead hasn’t made any vital enchancment or taken any notable steps prior to now week.

“Ben is in the same position he was the last time I talked to you, nothing further to comment on. I don’t think I can give you anything else. There’s been no … there’s been no nothing to add, really.”

Simmons has performed simply three video games because the Kevin Durant commerce turned official and the Nets remade their roster, all of them coming off the bench.

He didn’t have any official observe together with his new teammates earlier than being shelved, and he hasn’t logged a single minute on the courtroom alongside the trio of Mikal Bridges, Nic Claxton and Spencer Dinwiddie.

It begs the query of whether or not there’s even time for Simmons to acclimate to his new teammates even ought to his well being immediately enhance.

And the dearth of any optimistic updates or developments, the latter is hardly a foregone conclusion.