NBA: Simmons won't return before play-offs, says Nets coach

Ben Simmons has not played for Brooklyn since joining the club in February. PHOTO: REUTERS

NEW YORK (AFP) - Ben Simmons will not make his Brooklyn Nets debut before the start of the NBA play-offs as he struggles to regain fitness after a back injury, coach Steve Nash said on Monday (April 4).

Australian star Simmons has not played for Brooklyn since joining the club in a blockbuster trade from the Philadelphia 76ers in February.

The 25-year-old Melbourne-born point guard is battling to recover from a herniated disk in his back, which has left him unable to fully train.

Nash said Simmons would miss the remainder of the regular season, which draws to a close on Sunday, and most likely next week's play-in tournament.

The 48-year-old said while Simmons had shown signs of improvement by taking part in light shooting and strengthening work, he was still far from full fitness.

"He was doing nothing on the floor. But obviously he clearly started strengthening and doing some light shooting," Nash said.

"So super positive on one hand; on the other hand, it's not like we're expecting him in the line-up in the next week."

Nash said the Nets would not risk Simmons in the play-offs unless they were certain about his fitness. Simmons has not played a game in the NBA this season.

"In this situation, we've got to put his health and safety first, and make sure that we're certain he's ready to play and contribute," Nash said.

"He hasn't played basketball, so you don't know what kind of Ben you get. And he hasn't been in an NBA game for, you know, nine to 10 months."

The Nets are 10th in the Eastern Conference and have secured a place in next week's play-in tournament where a ticket to the play-offs proper will be on the line.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.