Ben Simmons progresses in recovery, potential sooner return for Nets star

Ben has missed the Nets' last 14 games due to a nerve impingement in his back.Simmons' agent says that the Nets star has moved to the next phase of his back recovery.

Ben Simmons is finally making progress in his recovery as he moved to the next phase of his back rehabilitation.

Simmons’ agent, Bernie Lee, told New York Post’s Brian Lewis this significant update about the Brooklyn Nets swingman who started feeling positive impacts from the epidural he took in his back.

Per Lee, there is now a strong possibility that the Aussie star will be back from a quicker timeframe.

“He’s looking at, I think, in the matter of days to weeks, as opposed to weeks to months,” Lee noted.

Background of Ben’s new back woes

The former No.1 pick missed the last 14 games of the Nets due to a nerve impingement in his left lower back. He sustained this injury on Nov. 6 in the team's loss against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jacque Vaughn said Ben Simmons injured his hip against the Bucks:

"There was a pocket pass that Spencer threw that he caught in the pocket and kind of awkwardly went up and shot a layup or a half hook kind of thing... It was responsive to that play in the game."

The play ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/YNXmf4CNEk

— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) November 8, 2023

While his past two seasons were disturbed by back complications, the Nets have meanwhile dismissed the idea that his current issues are somewhat connected to them.

According to Lee, Simmons is now working toward on-court activities and is also doing aqua jogging to continue his conditioning.

“It definitely has helped. And just like time and progression has helped him as well. “He’s been doing well, slowly taking steps. He’s starting to move around a little bit now. He’s starting to be able to run on some underwater treadmill stuff. So he’s starting to get around and move.”

Come back stronger

While still passive offensively, Simmons still looked much better than last year and averaged 6.5 points, 6.7 assists and a career-high 10.8 boards in six games this season before being sidelined.

In what could be a gradual regaining of his old All-Star form, Simmons’ intent to redeem himself was unfortunately halted by this latest back injury which Brooklyn is hoping to reach the end as soon as possible.

Even with Simmons out, the Nets are still rolling with a 12-9 record that is seventh-best in the East. Nevertheless, his defense and playmaking will remain critical in the team's aspired success as they move forward.

This Ben 10 dime 🤯 pic.twitter.com/X9yM86ieH6

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 17, 2023

It’s just one of those things where it sucks,” Lee said. “When you’re in season, the No. 1 thing you need is time and patience, and the No. 1 thing you don’t have is time and/or patience, right? For him, obviously, with his background, having missed the amount of time that he has over the last couple years, obviously it’s frustrating. But you sit and you watch this team play and see the way he’s going to be able to impact it, this team’s got an opportunity to create something.”

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