Nets holding Ben Simmons out against Golden State as precaution
Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) brings the ball up court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. Credit: AP/Mary Altaffer
Ben Simmons has yet to play consecutive games for the Nets and he won’t on Monday as the team ruled him out against Golden State for lower back injury maintenance.
With the Nets starting a back-to-back and hosting the Mavericks on Tuesday, it’s appears more precautionary than a flare-up of a new injury. Simmons didn’t play both ends of a back-to-back earlier this season when he suited up on Nov. 3 in Chicago but sat out the next day against the Celtics.
Simmons played 14 minutes in Saturday’s win over the 76ers and just 33 seconds in the fourth quarter. He was scoreless and didn’t attempt a shot but still had nine rebounds and five assists.
After his return from a back injury on Monday, Jan. 29, Simmons sat out the game on Jan. 31 because of a left knee contusion suffered on his final play of Monday’s win.
"Just trying to take care of myself and get back on the floor, so it's everyday,” Simmons said Saturday. “Pretty annoying. You come back, play a pretty good game, go for a block and that happens, but it's part of the game.”
The Nets are 2-0 in games Simmons played since returning and the wins were two of the team’s most productive offensive nights this season. The Nets scored 147 and 136 points, two of their three single-game highs this year.
Simmons also said his knee feels good and coach Jacque Vaughn added that he doesn’t expect it to be a lingering issue.
If Simmons plays Tuesday, it adds more star power facing the Mavericks in a game scheduled to be on TNT. The game likely will be Kyrie Irving’s return to Brooklyn after his trade a year ago. Irving missed the Mavericks’ last six games with a thumb injury but is listed as probable for their game Monday at the 76ers.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
