Unexpected Player Ruled Out for Clippers vs Nets

Ben Simmons has been suddenly downgraded.
Unexpected Player Ruled Out for Clippers vs Nets
Unexpected Player Ruled Out for Clippers vs Nets /

Ben Simmons started the day listed as questionable with left hip soreness. Now, roughly just two hours before tipoff, he's been downgraded to out against the LA Clippers.

While some may downplay the significance of Ben Simmons, he's actually been quite vital for the Brooklyn Nets this season. In six games, Simmons has been averaging: 6.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 6.7 assists on 53% shooting from the field. While Simmons hasn't quite returned to the form that fans remember him from the Philadelphia 76ers, he's definitely been much better than he previously was. In just the last game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Simmons grabbed 15 rebounds.

Without Ben Simmons on the court, the Nets lose both a great defender, but also a fantastic rebounder. The LA Clippers have been a team that's struggled tremendously to rebound, especially without all of their power forwards, and Ben Simmons would have been crucial in this matchup. As it stands, the Brooklyn Nets will be missing both Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton - that is a tremendous amount of size and rebounding.

If there's one game that it would be inexcusable for the Clippers to have a poor rebounding game, it would be tonight. LA has been absolutely gifted the ability to have a size advantage tonight, and it can't be taken for granted.

The LA Clippers and Brooklyn Nets face off tonight at 7:30 p.m. EST.

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Published
Farbod Esnaashari
FARBOD ESNAASHARI

12-year NBA veteran that's covered the league on Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and ESPN.