NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets are getting ready for his or her play-in sport Tuesday night time in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers with Ben Simmons’ standing nonetheless hanging over any potential deep postseason run.
Whereas it stays unclear when Simmons would possibly be capable to make his season debut as he continues to take care of a again damage, Nets coach Steve Nash stated the group would welcome the “problem” of making an attempt to combine Simmons into their crew in the course of the playoffs.
“One other problem, however one that we would welcome, clearly,” Nash stated after Monday’s observe. “So we’ll see — if he is in a position to play in some unspecified time in the future it might be nice to include him and to attempt to study as we go and see how he will help our crew with out having a lot historical past, or any historical past, with our group.”
Simmons would possibly be capable to make his debut in some unspecified time in the future within the first spherical, sources instructed ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, if the Nets have been to advance that far. With a win on Tuesday, Brooklyn would play the Boston Celtics within the Japanese Convention quarterfinals. Sport 1 is Sunday.
Simmons was acquired simply earlier than the commerce deadline in a deal that despatched James Harden and Paul Millsap to Philadelphia and introduced Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two future first-round picks to the Nets. Initially, Simmons, who requested a commerce out of Philadelphia final summer time citing his psychological well being, was optimistic about taking part in in some unspecified time in the future in March. However again soreness in late February, which was later revealed as a herniated disk, stalled his return.
Simmons hung out after Monday’s observe getting some stretching and resistance-band work in, however he nonetheless has not been cleared for contact.
Nash stated that whereas an argument might be made on either side about how troublesome it is likely to be so as to add Simmons this late within the season, particularly given how a lot in-flux the Nets’ roster has been on this season, Brooklyn is keen to take Simmons — and no matter minutes he would possibly be capable to present — at any time when he is prepared.
“The underside line is we might be including a considerable expertise to our crew so we actually welcome him,” Nash stated. “He matches and he helps in a lot of methods. We’re in want of assist so we might welcome that problem of making an attempt to include him in a playoff scenario the place he has no historical past with our crew. No minutes on the ground along with his teammates and see how we will forge that understanding as rapidly as potential.”
Nash stated after Sunday’s win over the Indiana Pacers that Simmons nonetheless hasn’t been cleared to start out working or conditioning — however gamers and coaches have repeatedly stated that Simmons stays in good spirits along with his new crew. Curry famous that whereas the Nets are nonetheless hoping Simmons returns in some unspecified time in the future, the crew is making an attempt to concentrate on what it will probably management.
“We’re frightened concerning the play-in sport proper now,” Curry stated. “If Ben is available in, we’ll attempt to combine him as a lot as potential, however we really feel like we’re locked into this play-in scenario proper now, if Ben does turn out to be accessible we’ll take care of that then, however now we have to fret about who now we have on the market and concentrate on Cleveland. I do not assume anyone’s going to be fascinated about if Ben can come again, as a crew. Possibly the coaches and entrance workplace — however as gamers, we’re locked into the duty at hand.”
Curry, who missed Sunday’s sport as he continues to take care of left ankle soreness, stated he would play Tuesday in opposition to the Cavs. Veteran guard Goran Dragic cleared well being and security protocols and is offered for Tuesday.