Reports: Ben Simmons is cleared to play against Atlanta Hawks after sustaining knee injury
The Brooklyn Nets will get a boost to their lineup as point guard Ben Simmons is set to return tomorrow for their home game against the Atlanta Hawks. Simmons has missed the last four games for the Nets. The team has done well in his absence, winning three of those four games.
Ben Simmons' last game was on November 28 against the Orlando Magic, where he left the game after only playing 11 minutes.
Ben Simmons is set to suit up for the Nets on Friday against the Hawks.
Left knee soreness caused Simmons to miss the last 4 games for the Nets.
(via @IanBegley) https://t.co/Nv7onn17Hf
Ben Simmons had a slow start to the season but picked up his play before being sidelined with this most recent injury. Over his last six games, Simmons has averaged 11.5 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, and 6.0 assists per game. The Nets will be hoping he returns to that form as the team has resurrected their season under new coach Jacque Vaughn.
With Ben Simmons returning to the lineup, the team will have more games where their big three of Simmons, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant will get to play together. If the Nets want to reach their goals, these three men will need more time together on the court. The team will still be without Yuta Watanabe, who has been ruled out of the Hawks game as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Kevin Durant's case for MVP
The Brooklyn Nets have had a lot going on this season. They had to replace their head coach, one of their stars was suspended, and then there was Ben Simmons, who didn’t play and wouldn’t attempt to shoot. One constant for the Nets the entire season has been Kevin Durant.
Durant has played in all 26 of the team’s games and carried the Nets in some of them. Durant is averaging 29.8 points per game, with 6.7 rebounds per game and 5.5 assists per game. He is the team’s best scorer and has had to be a playmaker this season due to the absence of other players who would normally handle those duties. His 29.8 ppg is sixth in the league right now.
NBA.com’s updated MVP Ladder:
1. Jayson Tatum
2. Luka Doncic / Nikola Jokic
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
5. Devin Booker
6. Stephen Curry
7. Kevin Durant
8. Ja Morant
9. Donovan Mitchell
10. Jaylen Brown
The Nets are currently 14-12, in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings, and in second place by seven games in the Atlantic Division. After a slow start to the season, the team has won seven of their last ten games. If Durant remains healthy and the Nets keep climbing up the standings, he could have a good shot at the MVP award. He won the award once during the 2013-14 season while playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder.