Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard Ben Simmons will be re-evaluated in two weeks for nerve impingement in his lower back, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Ben Simmons will be re-evaluated in 2 weeks for nerve impingement in lower back, but there's little expectation that he'd be ready to return to lineup that soon, sources tell ESPN. Doctors are hopeful treatment can drive improvement, but Sixers are preparing to play without him.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 25, 2020
The Athletic’s Shams Charania adds that the injury occurred during Saturday’s game against the Bucks.
Simmons sustained the injury on the play prior to exiting Saturday night in Milwaukee. He will undergo daily treatment and rehab after he consulted with several specialists internally and externally. https://t.co/tuuTVqVd9s
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 25, 2020
Simmons played less than five minutes in the 76ers’ loss to the Bucks on Saturday before exiting with back soreness. He also missed Thursday’s game against the Nets with lower back tightness and Monday night’s game against Atlanta.
Over the weekend, Wojnarowski reported that Simmons was apparently ’emotional’ following an X-ray. Simmons is averaging 16.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.2 steals in 36.3 minutes across 53 games.
The Sixers are 36-22 as they head down the stretch without one of their best players. They are 27-2 but just 9-20 at home – and leave this week for a four-game West Coast trip that starts Sunday.
Shake Milton started at point guard for Simmons in Monday’s victory over Atlanta. Shooting guard Josh Richardson also played the point and both players will be needed again when the Sixers play Wednesday at Cleveland.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
