Australians in the NBA - Simmons set to return

Monday, January 29, 2024

Australian NBA star Ben Simmons is in line to play his first match in nearly three months.

Ben Simmons is set to return to the Brooklyn Nets after missing nearly three months due to a pinched nerve in his back.

The Australian has played in six games this season, none since November 6, and has missed the last 38. He trained Saturday with the Nets' NBA G League affiliate. Coach Jacque Vaughn said afterward there was a "high likelihood" that the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft would play on Monday (Tuesday morning AEDT) against Utah.

The Nets listed Simmons as probable to play in their injury report on Sunday, then upgraded him to available after he took part in the Monday morning shootaround.

Simmons, 27, has dealt with back injuries since the Nets acquired him from Philadelphia nearly two years ago. The Nets originally thought his injury in November was in his left hip, before determining it was caused by an impingement in his lower back.