Jacque Vaughn: Ben Simmons dealing with back inflammation
An MRI revealed Ben Simmons has inflammation in his back, head coach Jacque Vaughn said. Simmons hasn’ t played since the Feb. 15 victory against the Miami Heat. The team continues to label him day-to-day as the former Rookie of the Year rehabs his back and knee. “We want Ben back when he’ s capable of being back for us,” Vaughn said before Sunday’ s 102-86 blowout victory...
An MRI revealed Ben Simmons has inflammation in his back, head coach Jacque Vaughn said.
Simmons was sidelined for the sixth straight game Sunday due to knee soreness, but it appears the former All-Star is now dealing with a back injury as well. Simmons has been hampered with injuries this season and the MRI results leaves his return in question. The team hasn’t disclosed any timetable for a return.
“So, we’ll see what that looks like, you know, kind of day by day, but that’s what we’re managing, along with trying to strengthen that knee,” Vaughn said.
Simmons hasn’t played since the Feb. 15 victory against the Miami Heat. The team continues to label him day-to-day as the former Rookie of the Year rehabs his back and knee.
“We want Ben back when he’s capable of being back for us,” Vaughn said before Sunday’s 102-86 blowout victory against the Hornets. “The day-to-day thing, that’s just for me to say some term to you guys.
“When the back gets better, and when the knee gets better, then he’ll be with us.”
Before receiving the MRI results, Vaughn said there was “zero” chance that the team shuts down Simmons for the rest of the season.
“That’s a zero on that one,” said Vaughn, who has been asked twice about the possibility of resting Simmons for the remainder of the season. “Think I went zero last time, going zero again, no discussion.”
The three-time All-Star is averaging 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists with the Nets this season. He’s appeared in 42 of Brooklyn’s 64 games and started in 33 of them.
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