Ben Simmons will need back surgery Thursday, the Brooklyn Nets announced in an official press release. According to information from ESPN the guard should be fit again in time for the new season.
The franchise announced that Simmons will undergo a microdiscectomy to relieve persistent back pain from a herniated disc. “After consulting with several back specialists, it was determined that surgery was best for Ben’s long-term health,” the Nets said in a statement.
Wie Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN) reported, the 25-year-old will need about three to four months of rehabilitation after the operation. However, the expectation is that Simmons’ back will be completely healed “far” before the start of the training camp in September.
The Aussie has not played a game for his new team since his trade from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Brooklyn Nets in February. The reason was stubborn back problems and several setbacks during the healing process. A comeback in the playoffs did not materialize due to the return of the back pain. Brooklyn eventually lost to the Boston Celtics 0-4 in the first round.
Simmons has not played an NBA game since the Sixers lost to the Atlanta Hawks in June 2021. The three-time All-Star has three years and $114 million left under contract in Brooklyn.
