When will Ben Simmons play for the Brooklyn Nets?
The Brooklyn Nets have announced that guard Ben Simmons will be sitting out Game 4 of the team’s opening round playoff series against the Boston Celtics.
Ben Simmons’ debut for the Brooklyn Nets has been pushed back once more. The organization has announced that the 25-year-old will not be seeing action in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics.
The Nets will fight to stay alive, as they trail Boston 0-3. No team has ever come back from such a deficit in the history of the NBA playoffs. Brooklyn is now the only team in the league who has not won a single game in the postseason.
Ben Simmons’ back troubles
Brooklyn had been planning for Simmons’ debut with the team in Game 4, but he suffered a setback, reportedly telling the Nets that he woke up with a sore back.
ESPN Sources: The Nets and Ben Simmons expected he would be ready to play on Monday, but after getting on the court yesterday Simmons says he awoke with back soreness today. In the end, the team and Simmons agreed he'll remain out for Game 4.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 24, 2022
Simmons has been been undergoing rehabilitation for a herniated disc in his lower back.
He had been cleared for contact ahead of Game 2, and had experienced no pain for over a week and half in practice. He also participated in his first four-on-four scrimmage last week.
The 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year is now unlikely to see any action this season. He last had court time in June 2021 with the Philadelphia 76ers.
🏀 Should Ben Simmons be paid his salary this year? What’s wrong with the Australian? 🤔#NBA #Basketball pic.twitter.com/eKAICDQ5uM
— AS USA (@English_AS) April 25, 2022
NBA world reacts to Simmons’ non-debut
Following the Nets’ announcement, NBA analysts expressed their displeasure at Simmons.
Shaquille O’Neal said of the latest development, “In the hood we call this a punk move… If your back hurts, get some Icy Hot, I’ll send it to you.”
Chuck & @SHAQ weigh in on Ben Simmons being out for Game 4. pic.twitter.com/sGCWdt1sDN
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 25, 2022
Stephen Smith said, “It’s pulling teeth to get this man to play basketball… it’s pathetic, it’s sad.”
.@stephenasmith reacts to Ben Simmons being out for Game 4:
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 24, 2022
“I feel bad for anybody who was his teammate. He quit on LSU, he quit on the Philadelphia 76ers and now, he ain’t showing up for the Brooklyn Nets.” pic.twitter.com/wrOrgCLziP
Many others also gave strong opinions on the latest development in the Simmons saga.
Ben Simmons has officially completed the biggest heist in NBA history. He really sat out an entire season! Carry on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 24, 2022
🏀 @ReggieMillerTNT calls out @BenSimmons25 for not playing in game four. Should he have tried to play? 🤔#NBA #Basketball pic.twitter.com/Q4xPt1w8PR
— AS USA (@English_AS) April 25, 2022
I don't think the Nets could've handled this Ben Simmons thing any worse if they wanted to
— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) April 24, 2022
I don't blame Ben Simmons for ducking Game 4. Who'd want to play his 1st game of season vs THAT team? Nets will get swept. No, what I blame Simmons for is not getting ready for GAME 1. SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE AND IT ISN'T JUST HIS "BACK."
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 25, 2022
The Nets face the Celtics at home for Game 4 on Monday, April 25, at Barclays Center. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.