Ben Simmons update: out for at least two more weeks / News - Basketnews.com

Ben Simmons is set to miss at least two more weeks due to ongoing lower back nerve irritation, extending a hiatus that began on November 6.

Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con/Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con/Scanpix

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons will be sidelined for at least another two weeks due to nerve irritation in his lower back, as officially announced by the team.

Ben Simmons

MIN:31.78PTS:6.5 (50%)REB:10.83As:6.67ST:0.5BL:0.83TO:2.5GM:6ProfileNBA2023/2024

The team stated, "Ben Simmons has shown consistent strength improvement in the affected area over the past two weeks and has increased individual court work. His status will be updated again in approximately two weeks."

Simmons' last appearance was on November 6 during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center, where he initially suffered the injury. Although he finished that game, he subsequently missed several games, initially attributed to "left hip soreness."

In mid-November, he was diagnosed with a nerve impingement in the lower left side of his back, causing the ongoing problem.

Simmons has a history of back issues, with an initial injury in 2020 while with the Philadelphia 76ers. This led to him sitting out the entire 2021-22 season, during which he was traded to the Nets, in part due to his injury.

He underwent surgery in the summer of 2022. Despite returning and playing 42 games last season, a different nerve impingement led to his shutdown in March.

In the six games played this season, Simmons has posted career-low points at 6.5, a career-high in rebounds at 10.8, and 6.7 assists per game, averaging just under 32 minutes a night.

The 27-year-old is in the fourth year of a five-year, $177 million deal.

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