Ben’s back surgery a success, Nets say
Ben Simmons underwent a successful microscopic partial discectomy to alleviate the pinched nerve in his lower back, the Nets announced on Thursday.
It was Simmons’ second surgery since being traded to Brooklyn in 2022. The 27-year-old guard is expected to make a full recovery ahead of training next fall. Dr. Timur Urakov performed the latest procedure at UHealth Jackson Memorial Medical Center in Miami. His first surgery was performed at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles.
Simmons, who appeared in just 15 games for the Nets this season, was sidelined indefinitely on March 7. The three-time All-Star averaged 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists this season. He missed 38 straight games from Nov. 8 to Jan. 27 because of the same issue.
Brooklyn has a record of 19-32 without Simmons this season.
“I know he has a lot of emotions that are inside of him,” Nets interim head coach Kevin Ollie said. “But he’s been down this road before and I know he’s going to get prepared with his team, our medical staff, our organization, and we have empathy for him.”
Simmons has played in just 57 total games since being acquired by the Nets three years ago and has made $78 million over that span. He is owed a guaranteed $40.3 million on an expiring contract next season.
“I just pray he can come back healthy,” Ollie said. “I want him to have faith that he can come back and be the Ben Simmons we know he can be. And we can’t speculate on what’s going to happen in the future or regret what happened in the past. The only thing we can stay in is now.”