The Brooklyn Nets find themselves down 2-0 against the Boston Celtics in their first-round NBA Playoffs matchup. With Ben Simmons still sidelined, fans have been eager to find out when they may see their prized acquisition make his debut. On Thursday, Nets head coach Steve Nash revealed that, barring any setbacks, Simmons would be making his debut for the team in Game 4 at the Barclays Center, per Shams Charania.
It's been nearly a full year since Simmons last featured in an NBA game, having last played in June of 2021. Should all go well over the next few days, the 25-year-old will finally be back in action come Game 4 on Monday, in what would be his first-ever appearance for the Nets.
The Nets acquired Ben Simmons as part of the blockbuster James Harden trade at the NBA trade deadline. Simmons forced himself out of Philadelphia after refusing to play for the team all season. He finally got his wish in the form of a trade to Brooklyn, but has yet to take the court as he continues to recover from a back injury. It looks as if, with the Nets' season hanging in the wind, the former No. 1 pick is set to make his return to the hardwood and hopefully have a positive impact on the series.
Down 2-0, the Celtics-Nets playoff series is set to head to Brooklyn for Games 3 and 4, at which point Simmons is slated to make his first-ever appearance in a Nets uniform. Nets fans simply need to hope there's no more setbacks in his rehab from the back injury, as it seems Simmons' return is imminent.