Nets: Ben Simmons won’t play again this season because of back

NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Simmons won’t play againthis season because of a nerve injury in his back, ending hisdisappointing first full season with the Brooklyn Nets after just42 games.

Simmons saw multiple specialists this week who determined thathe should be shut down for the season because of a nerveimpingement and begin a rehabilitation program. Coach Jacque Vaughnsaid Tuesday a full recovery was expected.

It’s the second straight year that Simmons was unable to playbecause of a back injury. He had surgery in the offseason to repaira disk problem, but was bothered this season by a sore left kneebefore his back problems returned.

Simmons finishes with averages of 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and6.1 assists.

The No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft didn’t play after the All-Starbreak in February. The 26-year-old had fallen out of the startinglineup before that, unable to regain the form that earned his threeAll-Star selections in Philadelphia.

He was traded to the Nets last February after initially refusingto play for the 76ers in the 2021-22 season, citing mental healthconcerns. His back problems then surfaced as he worked to gethimself prepared to play for the Nets.

Simmons is making $35.4 million this season, and is due $78.2million more over the next two seasons.