Nets hopeful for sustained game time for Ben Simmons despite his latest injury setback
Ben Simmons' Return to the Brooklyn Nets Halted by Knee Injury
Ben Simmons' much-anticipated return to the Brooklyn Nets was short-lived, as he was forced to sit out the second game following a knee contusion. The injury occurred during the fourth quarter of the Nets' game against the Phoenix Suns, and since then, Simmons has been dealing with knee swelling.
Head coach Jacque Vaughn confirmed the injury, stating that Simmons had swelling in his knee after the incident. An MRI was conducted, but it showed no structural damage. The injury is currently being labeled as day-to-day.
Despite the setback, Vaughn remains optimistic about Simmons' return to the floor. He believes that Simmons will play consistent minutes for the team once he gets through the swelling.
This season, Simmons has only managed to play 7 of a possible 47 games. His career has been plagued by recurring injuries, a trend that continued even before he joined the Nets. Injuries have been a significant factor in limiting his playing time, with a severe back problem and multiple knee issues being notable setbacks.
Simmons' impact on the team was evident in Monday night's game against the Jazz, where he recorded 10 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds before getting injured. The Nets perform better with Simmons on the court, as demonstrated by this game.
However, the wait for Simmons' return will continue for at least a few more days. The Nets have invested significantly in Simmons' services, but his tenure with the team has been marred by injuries. Since joining the Nets, Simmons has played in less than half of the games due to various health issues.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Simmons' return, rumors continue to link him to teams like the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. However, there are no indications that he is rehabbing or expected to return soon from a knee contusion. As of mid-2025, no official update or timeline for Simmons’ return has been reported by the Nets.
Simmons' last significant knee issue involved surgery to remove a loose body in his left knee back in 2020. Since then, he has had multiple injury setbacks, notably severe back problems and limited playing time. His career with the Nets has been marked by these injuries rather than a recent specific knee issue.
[1] [4]: Reference omitted for brevity.
The knee injury that forced Ben Simmons to sit out the second game with the Brooklyn Nets is not structurally damaging, but it's currently being labeled as day-to-day, with Simmons experiencing knee swelling. Despite the continual health issues, the Nets still hope for Simmons to play consistent minutes on the court once the swelling decreases, given his significant impact on the team, as evidenced in Monday's game against the Jazz.
