How long is Ben Simmons out? Knee injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Nets star
The new-look Nets must continue to play without one of their key players in All-Star guard Ben Simmons.
Simmons has struggled with left knee pain this season and the 26-year-old appears to have made the injury worse again. He returned from a five-game absence on February 7 and played in Brooklyn’s next five games, but he’s now out again with the same injury.
When can the Nets expect Simmons to return to the lineup? The Sporting News have brought you the latest updates below.
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What injury does Ben Simmons have?
In a loss to the Pistons on Jan. 26, Simmons retired in the third quarter with left knee pain.
Ben Simmons is out for the rest of tonight’s game with left knee pain.
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 27, 2023
It’s unclear exactly when the injury struck, but his left knee has been plaguing him for most of the season.
Simmons averages 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 42 games for the Nets.
How long will Ben Simmons be out?
On February 28, Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn denied any idea of closing Simmons for the season.
“No, that’s a zero on this one” Vaughn told the media. “Go to zero. Think I went to zero and went back to zero last time. No discussion,” he concluded bluntly.
However, Vaughn also didn’t offer a timeline for the return.
On March 3, Vaughn updated Simmons, telling reporters that while strengthening his knee, the Australian is now suffering from back pain.
Simmons returned from a five-game absence due to left knee pain on February 7 and appeared in five games before reappearing on injury reports. In those five games, Simmons averaged just 19.1 minutes and averaged 3.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
It is currently still unclear when the 26-year-old will return to the floor for the Nets.
Net’s upcoming schedule
Here’s a look at the next five games on Brooklyn’s schedule:
| Date | Opponent | time (ET) | National TV |
| 5. March | against hornets | 6 p.m | — |
| 7th March | at rockets | 8 p.m | — |
| 9th March | at Bucks | 8 p.m | — |
| March 10th | with the timber wolves | 8 p.m | — |
| March 12th | at nuggets | 3:30 p.m | — |
Ben Simmons career stats, highlights
- 14.7 points per game
- 7.8 rebounds per game
- 7.5 assists per game
- 1.6 steals per game
- 0.7 blocks per game
- 3.2 turnovers per game
- 32.9 minutes per game
- 56.0 percent shooting field goals
- 59.1 percent free throw shooting