The Nets are either playing the greatest game of possum or you shouldn’t look for Ben Simmons to return anytime soon.
Amid rumors and reports the talented yet enigmatic newcomer could make his Nets debut in the upcoming opening-round series against the Celtics, coach Steve Nash and star Kevin Durant dumped a bucket of ice water on that possibility.
“No, I’m not expecting him to play,” Durant said after practice on Thursday. “That’s easier for me. I’m not putting any pressure on Ben to come out and hoop. I’m not expecting him to do anything except get his body right and get healthy as fast as he can. I’m preparing as if we’re playing with the team we have.”
Said Nash: “Internally, we’re not sitting here saying Ben’s returning in this series. We’ll see what happens.”
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that the Nets and the 6-foot-11 Simmons were eying a return as early as Game 4 of the best-of-seven series. The Athletic’s Shams Charania also reported on Thursday a similar timeline, slightly backing off his previous report that Simmons could be back by Game 3 of the series.
Kevin Durant said he’s “preparing as if we’re playing with the team we have.”Getty Images
But Nash said that Simmons, a three-time All-Star who came over from the 76ers in the James Harden trade in February but has yet to play in a game for the Nets, is still doing individual work as he rehabs a herniated L-4 disk in his back that required an epidural shot on March 15. He has not ramped up his activity in recent days, although the 25-year-old Simmons is watching film with the team and is attending practices. He still hasn’t begun sprinting or running at full speed.
“It’s up to Ben — Ben’s back. It’s not up to me or any of us. There’s a chance Ben comes back, there’s a chance he doesn’t come back,” Nash said. “For us, we got to focus on the group, support Ben in his journey to get back on…