Simmons Hopeful of Nets Debut, Perhaps in Game 4 Vs Boston

By BRIAN MAHONEY, AP Basketball Author

NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Simmons hopes to play for the Brooklyn Nets throughout their first-round collection in opposition to Boston, although he most likely will not be prepared for Recreation 3 on Saturday.

Simmons stated Recreation 4 on Monday is extra probably.

“I feel it’s cheap to assume that, nevertheless it’s each day,” Simmons stated after apply Friday. “I can’t inform you undoubtedly Recreation 4, Recreation 3. If I might play proper now, I’d be on the court docket.”

Simmons did not play for the Philadelphia 76ers this season, then injured his again after being traded to the Nets in February. He has solely lately begun doing extra than simply particular person work whereas coping with a herniated disk.

The Nets are down 2-0 within the collection. Simmons expects to get one other exercise Saturday after which a willpower can be made if he is prepared to leap in Monday — after they may very well be going through elimination.

“I don’t wish to put an excessive amount of on Ben. He hasn’t performed basketball on this atmosphere for a very long time, so it’d be superb to have him again and to include him into our group on the ground,” Nets coach Steve Nash stated. “Clearly we all know he offers us dimension and velocity and playmaking and protection and rebounding and all these issues which might be useful, however we’ll simply need to see how he progresses and never put an excessive amount of stress on him coming again.”

Simmons hasn’t performed in a recreation since final June 20, when the 76ers misplaced Recreation 7 at residence to Atlanta within the second spherical. He requested a commerce afterward after which did not play for the 76ers this season, citing psychological well being issues.

He will not make any predictions about how nicely he can play after the layoff, however he insists he needs to attempt, even with a lot rust at such an vital time.

“Physique-wise, as soon as my physique is prepared, I would like to have the ability to assist this staff win. That is what I’m right here for, so I imply, it’s what it’s,” Simmons stated. “I’ve received to get on the ground and assist this staff win. I’ve been traded to the Brooklyn Nets and that’s what they want me to do.”

Even with a restricted offensive recreation, Simmons can be a assist to the Nets due to what he does on the opposite facet. He was voted to the All-Defensive first staff every of the final two seasons and will take some turns guarding Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Simmons stated his basketball IQ will help him slot in with a staff he hasn’t even absolutely practiced with, and the Nets hope his physique will permit that. Teammate Patty Mills, a fellow Australian, stated it was exhausting to match the circumstances of Simmons’ debut with anything he might recall.

“However I imply, we’ve been by some fairly loopy stuff this yr,” Mills stated. “I don’t assume that is any completely different to that and it’s a type of issues the place we’re right here and that is what now we have, so let’s take advantage of it.”

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