Nets' Ben Simmons has back soreness as he slowly gets into game shape
Nets guard Ben Simmons looks on against the Celtics during a time out in the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Barclays Center on Thursday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
MILWAUKEE — Ben Simmons has been dealing with some back tenderness, but it’s nothing out of the ordinary for someone who hasn’t played since June, according to Nets coach Steve Nash.
"It’s just a little soreness in his back," Nash told reporters before the Nets faced the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. "It’s not like an injury. It’s just as he’s returned to play, his back has flared up a bit. It’s not a long-term thing."
Simmons, who didn’t get along with coach Doc Rivers and some of his 76ers teammates, has not played a game this season.
Simmons did travel with his new team to Milwaukee but has been doing mostly individual work as he attempts to get back into game shape.
"No, he has not done high intensity yet," Nash said. "Just ramping him up still. He’s doing individual work. He’s doing physio and strength and conditioning and skill work. He’s building his body back up and his game."
Though the team has set no date for Simmons’ return, he has said he hopes to be back for the Nets’ game in Philadelphia on March 10.
Notes & quotes: Nash said there has been no decision on whether Joe Harris will have to go through another surgery to address the bone particle in his ankle. "The only update I have is that he’s still in the process and working through it," Nash said of Harris’ rehab. Harris has played in only 14 games this season . . . Point guard Goran Dragic was scheduled to play his first game as a Net on Saturday night. Dragic, whom the Nets signed on Monday, has not played since Nov. 13 and was expected to be on a minutes restriction. "I’m just pumped to be part of the team," he said at the morning shootaround. "I was three or four months back home, spent quality time with my kids. But, of course, you’re missing basketball."
Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.
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