ORLANDO, Fla. — The Nets have refused to give any timeline for when Ben Simmons will take the court again. And while coach Steve Nash said he had “extremely high hopes” the All-Star will play this regular season, hope isn’t the same as confidence or even optimism.
Simmons, acquired from the 76ers in the James Harden trade, hasn’t played since last June 20, first holding out in Philadelphia and now ramping up since his trade to the Nets. A sore back, for the fourth time in two years, has hampered that process. Multiple orthopedic specialists have told The Post they doubt the All-Star would return to action by the April 10 regular-season finale.
“He’s just doing his rehab, strengthening and more so getting healthy. That side of things rather than core work right now,” Nash said before the Nets’ 150-108 rout of the Magic on Tuesday.
Asked how hopeful he was that Simmons will suit up in the regular season, Nash replied, “Extremely…