Nets' Ben Simmons progressing from nerve impingement but still out 7-10 more days
Nets guard Ben Simmons reacts during the second half of an NBA game against the Cavaliers at Barclays Center on Oct. 25. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
ATLANTA — Ben Simmons is making progress from a nerve impingement in his lower back but will miss at least 7-10 more days, the Nets announced Wednesday.
The team said Simmons is continuing to improve with treatment and resumed light individual court work. He will miss at least the next three games after the Nets face the Hawks Wednesday.
“Last time I saw Ben . . . wasn’t practicing,” coach Jacque Vaughn said pregame. “He’s not on the floor with other individuals. So it’s just light work at home. Most of the coaches or all the coaches are here with us.”
Simmons didn’t travel with the Nets for their game against the Hawks and neither did Cam Thomas or Dennis Smith Jr.
The Nets start a five-game homestand Saturday against the Heat. If Simmons is out closer to 10 days, the Nets play Nov. 30 and Dec. 2 at home.
Simmons has been out since Nov. 8. The injury was initially diagnosed as a hip contusion suffered against the Bucks but further imaging detected the impingement.
It’s in a different place in his back than the nerve impingement that limited him to 42 games last season.
The rest of the Nets’ injury news seemed more promising. Smith’s MRI confirmed he has a lower back sprain and will remain day-to-day. Wednesday is the second game he’s missed
As for Thomas, he’s been cleared for increased on-court activity after missing the last five games with a sprained ankle.
Thomas was seen without a walking boot at Barclays Center during Sunday’s loss to the 76ers.
“He is on court, shooting the basketball last time I saw him,” Vaughn said. “Hopefully that continues to progress and he gets to a position where we can practice one of these days when we get back home.”
Thomas, who leads the Nets with 26.9 points per game, will also be integrated into team activities next week. Vaughn said that will happen after the Nets complete their back-to-back with the Heat and Bulls this weekend.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
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