There was a period where it really started to feel like Ben Simmons might suit up this postseason for the Brooklyn Nets. Toward the tail end of last week, ESPN's Brian Windhorst, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, and The Athletic's Shams Charania all pointed to a possible Game 4 return for his Nets debut.

But that all looks like it was premature now. After Simmons was ruled out for Monday's Game 4 on Sunday, Simmons and his agent Rich Paul met with Nets leadership to discuss his return to play with regards to “physical and mental hurdles” he's still facing:

Simmons was only just cleared for contact at the beginning of last week. So it felt like a stretch to pencil him into a definite rotation role. Was it even safe to deploy a dude who hasn't played since June of 2021 after only five or six days of full contact practice while nursing a herniated disc? After all, this same injury may have cost him half a season in 2020 and another half in 2022. That would have felt a bit rushed, especially for a team with a reputation for conservative rehab and load management.

But nevertheless, Simmons progressed through some key performance milestones as he aimed to join his teammates and help keep their season alive. Now trailing three games to none and already having been ruled out for Game 4, it looks like both sides understand there's more work to be done on the return-to-play front:

We knew there were mental hurdles preventing him from playing in Philadelphia. But we were told that those had not prevented him from playing in Brooklyn. The only reason Nets fans had for why he hadn't yet played on his new team was a flareup of his back, an issue related to the L-4 disc. The team even confirmed he had a herniated disc, which he received an epidural to treat back in March. Reports were that that procedure reduced his pain and allowed him to begin a pain-free rehab of 10 days.

Perhaps the Nets underestimated the mental health struggles the three-time All-Star was facing when they acquired him from the Sixers.

In a follow-up tweet, Woj added:

“Simmons reiterated desire to play for Nets and sides talked on how they’ll work together to try and get there. Both groups believe Simmons had two good weeks of physical ramp-up thru Sunday, but ultimately realized there are still mental and physical hurdles that need addressing.”

Simmons spoke to the media as recently as Friday and downplayed, to a degree, any optimism he'd definitely play Monday:

Perhaps as that return date inched closer, he realized he wasn't quite ready physically or mentally for high-intensity, high-pressure game action.

Simmons has not been a sympathetic figure here as fans, media members, and former players are making fun of him and questioning his competitive fire.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Blake Griffin with Celtics players telling him to come back before retirement.

Daniel Donabedian ·

A newspaper as the background, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown with the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, and Atlanta Hawks logos in the background

Owen Crisafulli ·

Kings Mike Brown Jordi Fernandez Nets coach

Peter Sampson ·

TNT's Reggie Miller even challenged Simmons to “man up” in a harsh message:

That feels wildly unfair. Does Miller not believe Simmons has mental health issues or a herniated disc?

The Nets host the Celtics on Monday. If they win, they'll force a Game 5 and perhaps we'll hear more of this. Or perhaps we'll learn he has been ruled out formally for the year regardless.

For now, all we know is that the trade that brought Ben Simmons to Brooklyn doesn't look like a win for Sean Marks and co. just yet.