Ben Simmons Frustrated by Ongoing Back Injury

Image: NBA Injury Update – Ben Simmons

Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons has expressed his frustration over his ongoing lower back nerve impingement, which has sidelined him for nearly two months. The injury initially occurred during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 6th. Since then, Simmons has missed 21 straight games, and his return to the court remains uncertain.

Simmons played through the injury during the Bucks game, initially believing it to be a hip issue. However, an MRI a few days later revealed the nerve impingement, which had also ended his 2022-23 season prematurely. The Nets have stated that Simmons has “further increased” his individual work and that his progress will be updated in two weeks, indicating that he will be out until at least early January.

During his time on the sidelines, Simmons has been working on-court, focusing on moving around and getting some shots up. He acknowledges that his mentality has been to come in every day and try to get better, with the ultimate goal of returning to the court and competing with his team.

Despite the setback, Simmons remains optimistic about his future performance, believing that he is getting closer to returning to his earlier form. He has seen positive signs in his play and is determined to continue working hard to improve his game.

However, Simmons has declined to provide a specific timeline for his return, stating that back injuries are more complicated than other injuries like sprained ankles. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on his recovery process and getting better each day, rather than setting a specific date for his return to the court.

In the meantime, Simmons will continue to work on increasing his workload and getting back on the court, with the ultimate goal of regaining his status as a top player in the NBA.