Inside The Nets

Kevin Ollie shows his support for Ben Simmons amidst the injury troubles

Simmons has been shut down for the rest of the season by the Nets due to a lower back injury.

Peter Sunjic

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Ben Simmons' 2023-24 season officially ended due to the pinched nerve injury in his lower back—this has been a recurring problem for the Australian guard for a long time.

Now, Simmons and his agent will look at the best options to help him recover. They opted for non-surgery recovery before, but the optimal long-term move might require him to go under the knife.

Brooklyn's interim head coach Kevin Ollie took some time before the Nets' game against Detroit to show his support for his star guard.

"I know he has a lot of motions that's inside of him. But he's been down this road before and I know he's gonna get prepared with his team, our medical staff, our organization, and we have empathy for him," Ollie said in the pre-game interview.

The Nets are still behind Simmons

Since Ben's move to the Nets in 2022, he has only played 57 out of 246 games. Earlier in the 2023-24 campaign, the Australian played six games where he showcased his playmaking and defense having a positive effect on the team.

Unfortunately, Ben couldn't stay healthy due to the nerve impingement. Any issue that involves nerves is concerning, so it would be best for Ben to step away for a bit and look for the best solution to his problem.

Ben can make a difference next year

In what could be the final year of his contract, Ben hopes to play in the 2024/25 season. He must prove he can still play and contribute because it would be a sad ending to a once-promising career.

Coach Ollie might not be with the team anymore as the head coach by then, but his words show that the organization supports Ben. Nets fans should hope for the best for Ben, as he will contribute to the team as soon as he can after his recovery. 

The Nets announce Ben Simmons is out for the rest of the regular season

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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