Nets’ Ben Simmons to undergo back surgery, expected to miss 3-4 months
The herniated disc that kept Ben Simmons on the sidelines this entire season will require surgery.
Simmons is set to undergo a procedure on Thursday and is expected to require 3-4 months of recovery time, the Brooklyn Nets announced.
“After consultation with multiple back specialists, it has been determined that the best course of action for Ben’s long-term health is for him to undergo surgery,” the team said in a statement. “The microdiscectomy procedure, scheduled for Thursday, is designed to alleviate pain caused by the herniated disc in Ben’s back. Further dates will be provided following the procedure.”
Ben Simmons medical update. pic.twitter.com/KXENQjZIg1
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 4, 2022
The expectation is he will be ready to return before the commencement of training camp later this year.
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The Australian, who was acquired in February — along with Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round draft picks — in return for James Harden and Paul Millsap, has battled back problems throughout his NBA career, dating back to February 2020, when he missed time due to a nerve impingement.
In mid-March this year, in an attempt to make his Nets debut this season, Simmons received an epidural shot for his back. Ultimately, Simmons never played a game during the 2021-22 season.
He had planned to return for Game 4 of the Nets’ Eastern Conference first-round series against the Boston Celtics but pulled out with pain soreness on the eve of Brooklyn’s elimination.
Simmons is a three-time All-Star and the 2017 NBA Rookie of the Year and has three years and $114 million left on his contract after this season.