Ben Simmons has received an epidural injection in his back, according to the Brooklyn Nets, extending his total absence to over a month due to a lower back nerve issue.
Nets coach Jacque Vaughn confirmed the procedure happened during the week and clarified it was a part of Simmons’ recovery and strengthening process without any setbacks.
“The epidural happened within the course of this week here,” Vaughn said on Saturday. “It was just a part of his getting back to playing, and that is a part of his treatment, a part of his strengthening that was just a part of his getting back to a position of joining us. No setbacks.
“Right now he is still doing low-level stuff on the court. So no rebounding drills, no sprinting up the floor. Then, in two weeks, you’ll continue to strengthen it and we’ll have something hopefully for you then.”
Currently, Simmons is limited to low-level on-court activities and hasn’t integrated with other players.
His injury originated on November 6 during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, initially termed as “left hip soreness” but later diagnosed by the NBA as a lower left back nerve impingement.
This isn’t Simmons’ first encounter with back problems. He first injured it in 2020 while with the Philadelphia 76ers, leading to missing the entire 2021-22 season after being traded to the Nets and undergoing surgery in 2022.
Last season, he played 42 games before a different nerve impingement halted his play in March. During the six games he played this season, Simmons averaged a career-low 6.5 points per game, but a career-high 10.8 rebounds per game.
The Nets will be hoping he can get fully healthy sooner rather than later.
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