Ben Simmons Aiming To Make Nets Debut For Playoffs

Nets newcomer Ben Simmons has resumed light on-court workouts and is hoping to debut with the team in time for the playoffs, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Simmons has missed the entire season, most recently because of an issue with his lower back. He was traded to the Nets from the 76ers as part of the James Harden deal in February.

Simmons hasn’t played since Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, when the 76ers were eliminated by the Hawks. He was hoping to debut for the Nets in the middle of March, but the back issue kept him from taking the court on a regular basis. He had an epidural on his back last month.

Now with a healthy Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who recently became eligible to play in home games, the Nets could use a top-notch perimeter defender such as Simmons. As of Friday, they sit in eighth place in the East — a position that would force them to get into the playoffs via the play-in tournament.