Why isn’t Ben Simmons playing for the Brooklyn Nets?

With the 2023-24 NBA season now off and running, we’ve already seen some of the league’s top teams lose players to injury as well as personal issues. With that, we’re taking a look at who’s out and also the reasons why.

Why isn’t Ben Simmons playing for the Brooklyn Nets?

Given the struggles that the Australian point guard has had over the past few seasons with injury, it’s hard not to feel some degree of sympathy for him now that he’s been sidelined once again. Even worse is the fact that the 27-year-old had just started to return to form. Regarding what happened, it was just last week that an MRI revealed that Simmons was suffering from a nerve impingement in the lower left side of his back. To be clear, Simmons had already missed three games prior to the discovery due to a left hip contusion. As things stand, is now receiving treatment on both his hip and back and is expected to be unavailable until at least the end of the month.

Why isn’t Tyler Herro playing for the Miami Heat?

If there is good news where the Heat’s star is concerned it’s that according to reports, he’s no longer wearing a walking boot on his foot. You may recall that Herro suffered a Grade 2 right ankle sprain back on November 8th, and was set to wear the boot for 10 days. While there is no clear indication as to when he will return, this is undoubtedly good news as he continues to recover.

Why isn’t Ricky Rubio playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers?

Unlike others who are currently unavailable, the Spaniard is not suffering from an injury but has actually taken a step away from the game to focus on his mental health, a move that can’t be criticized or questioned when one really thinks about it. Via a statement that he released through the Spanish Basketball Federation prior to the FIBA World Cup earlier this year, the Cavs’ star had this to say: “I have decided to stop my professional activity to take care of my mental health. I want to thank all the support I have received from the FEB to understand my decision.”

Why isn’t Marcus Smart playing for the Memphis Grizzlies?

After joining the Memphis Grizzlies in a shock move from the Boston Celtics, many fans and neutrals alike were excited to see how the former Defensive Player of the Year would improve an already solid team. Unfortunately, that has not proven to be the case. With star player Ja Morant out due to a long-term suspension and Smart now out until mid-December with an ankle injury, the Grizzlies have got off to a bumpy start and currently sit on a 3-11 record. Meanwhile, the team that Smart left is doing just fine.

Why isn’t CJ McCollum playing for the New Orleans Pelicans?

The Pelicans and the wider league itself were given quite the shock when the team’s star was diagnosed with a small pneumothorax in his right lung at the start of November. The condition refers to the presence of air in the space between the lung and the chest wall which can in fact cause the lung to collapse. Incidentally, this is the second time that the 32-year-old has experienced a collapsed lung, having missed 17 games back in 2011 for similar reasons. In terms of a return, the team initially indicated that McCollum could return by month’s end, however, there has been no word as to whether that will be the case.

Why isn’t Bradley Beal playing for the Phoenix Suns?

According to reports, the Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal has been experiencing nerve irritation going down his legs as a result of his back injury. Having played just three games this season, it was understandably disappointing when the team announced on November 17th, that Beal would be out for a minimum of three weeks. To be clear, Beal is suffering from disc-related issues much in the same way as the above-mentioned Ben Simmons. With that in mind, there have been concerns that his career could go in a direction that is similar to the Australian’s, however, these are early days. For the moment, Beal is expected to return in mid-December.