Nets guard Ben Simmons will not return this season because a nerve injury in his back. Julia Nikhinson/Associated Press
Ben Simmons won’t play again this season because of a nerve injury in his back, ending his disappointing first full season with the Brooklyn Nets after just 42 games.
Simmons saw multiple specialists this week who determined that he should be shut down for the season because of a nerve impingement and begin a rehabilitation program. Coach Jacque Vaughn said Tuesday a full recovery was expected.
It’s the second straight year that Simmons was unable to play because of a back injury. He had surgery in the offseason to repair a disk problem, but was bothered this season by a sore left knee before his back problems returned.
Simmons finishes with averages of 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
The No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft didn’t play after the All-Star break in February. The 26-year-old had fallen out of the starting lineup before that, unable to regain the form that earned his three All-Star selections in Philadelphia.
He was traded to the Nets last February after initially refusing to play for the 76ers in the 2021-22 season, citing mental health concerns. His back problems then surfaced as he worked to get himself prepared to play for the Nets.
Simmons is making $35.4 million this season, and is due $78.2 million more over the next two seasons.
WARRIORS: Coach Steve Kerr remains hopeful that Andrew Wiggins will return this season after the veteran forward missed his 20th straight game because of a family matter.
Wiggins has been working out on his own every day but when and if he returns to the defending NBA champions, the training and medical staffs would need to evaluate his fitness and how much he might be able to contribute and how soon.
“Beyond that, once he’s back our training staff will be able to get with him and see where he is,” Kerr said Tuesday.
There have been no details on what Wiggins is dealing with because it is private. He hasn’t played since Feb. 13 against the Wizards.
He missed his 40th game overall Tuesday against New Orleans, having been sidelined for three with left foot soreness, 10 because of a strained adductor in his right thigh, and seven games with a non-COVID illness.
The 28-year-old Wiggins signed a four-year contract extension last October. He is averaging 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 37 games this season.
TUESDAY’S GAMES
RAPTORS 106, HEAT 92: Pascal Siakam scored 26 points, Scottie Barnes had 22 points and a career-high 12 assists and Toronto won at home.
O.G. Anunoby scored 22 points, and Precious Achiuwa and Fred VanVleet each had 12 as Toronto won for the 10th time in 11 home games.
The Raptors evened their record at 38-38 after outscoring the Heat 62-36 on points in the paint, and 23-10 on fast-break points.
Tyler Herro scored 33 points and Bam Adebayo had 21 points and 12 rebounds as Miami lost its second straight. The Heat are 15-22 on the road.
Miami played without leading scorer Jimmy Butler, who sat because of a sore neck.
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