Has Ben Simmons been ruled out for the rest of the 2022-23 season? Looking into Jacque Vaughn's comments about the former All-Star's injuries
Ben Simmons last played for the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 15 before the All-Star break. Since then, the former three-time All-Star has sustained multiple injuries that have kept him sidelined.
It was just announced yesterday that Ben Simmons has sustained a nerve impingement on his back and will remain out until further updates are provided.
Jacque Vaughn said this in an interview:
"Ben [Simmons] was going through the process of strengthening, being on the court, being reevaluated. During one of those reevaluations, the impingement presented itself… He's probably not going to join us for the rest of the year."
Going by Vaughn's comments, it's very likely that Ben Simmons is done for the season.
Ben Simmons throughout this season
On Feb. 10, 2022, Ben Simmons, along with Andre Drummond and Seth Curry, found a new home with the Brooklyn Nets after being traded by the Philadelphia 76ers James Harden, Paul Millsap and two future first-round picks.
However, Simmons made his debut for the Nets on Oct. 2, 2022. During the 2021-22 season, Ben Simmons missed all the games for the 76ers and Nets due to back injury management and mental health issues.
On his Nets debut, Simmons had six points, five assists, and four rebounds in 10 minutes. Simmons said this in a post-game interview:
"I'm grateful just to be able to step on that floor. Step on an NBA floor again. I had a lot of fun out there."
Simmons played only 42 games as injuries kept him sidelined for the majority of the season. He averaged 6.9 ppg (56.6% shooting), 6.3 rpg and 6.1 apg.
Simmons showed flashes of his former All-Star self, as seen in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 7. He had a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, along with seven assists. His teammates were pleased with the development. Jacque Vaughn said this at the time:
"It’s very encouraging. Most minutes he’s played, he responded well. Had a few combinations with Nic [Claxton], without Nic, pushing the basketball as a screener… kind of what we envisioned, doing everything for us. If we can continue to grow with him, understand him, his game, how he benefits, with who, it’s very encouraging."
But the great moments of Simmons' season did not last long. After the departures of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving before the mid-season trade deadline, Simmons couldn't just put up consistent performances.