76ers lose Simmons to injury

Point guard out at least 2 weeks

Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons will miss at least two more weeks with nerve issues in his lower back.

The All-Star played just a few minutes in Saturday’s loss to Milwaukee before leaving with the back injury. He will undergo daily treatment for his nerve impingement and be evaluated in two weeks.

The 76ers are 36-22 as they head down the stretch without one of their best players.

The 23-year-old Simmons averaged 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 54 games.

Shake Milton started at point guard for Simmons in Monday’s victory over Atlanta. Shooting guard Josh Richardson also played the point.

Heat

As Miami looks to bounce back from Monday’s painful overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, they appear likely to get back their max player.

All-Star wing Jimmy Butler worked out Tuesday at the Heat’s facility and the hope is he will be able to play in Wednesday’s home matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to a league source.

Butler missed the past two games because of personal reasons. Butler, 30, is healthy; his absence did not involve injury.

Warriors

Stephen Curry is aiming to return to the Golden State lineup Sunday for the first time since breaking his left hand in October.

Coach Steve Kerr said Tuesday that the hope is that Curry will be able to play against Washington. Curry has been practicing in recent weeks and will be re-evaluated Saturday.

“He’s had that date [March 1] in his mind,” Kerr said. “He’ll continue to work this week and we’ll make that determination on Saturday.”

Wednesday

Game: Brooklyn Nets (2630) at Washington Wizards (20-36), Capital One Arena, Washington.

When: 7 p.m.

TV: None locally.

The skinny: Bradley Beal scored 53 and 55 points in the Wizards’ past two games — the first player to score 50 in consecutive games since Kobe Bryant in 2007.