By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After the most recent delay to his return to action, Ben Simmons met with the Brooklyn Nets leadership on Monday, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Simmons, 25, was expected to play in Game 4 of the best-of-seven series versus the Boston Celtics. After three straight losses to start the first round of the NBA Playoffs, his side is facing elimination tonight, Monday. The Melbourne-born guard/forward was ruled out of the contest to be held in Barclays Center after reporting back soreness.
Along with the CEO of Klutch Sports Rich Paul, he discussed with GM Sean Marks and Nets leadership how the involved sides will continue to address the physical and mental hurdles to get back in action, as noted by Wojnarowski. The LSU product, selected with the first overall pick of the 2016 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, committed once more to wanting to play for the Nets. However, there is still work to do, both the player and the Nets agreed.
Simmons opted to sit out the training camp and from there most of the 2021-22 Regular Season, until getting traded from the Sixers to Brooklyn in February. More than two months later, he has yet to get back on track. His last appearance dates back to the conclusion of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2021 NBA Playoffs and the 76ers getting eliminated by the Atlanta Hawks in seven games. Teammate Joel Embiid publicly criticizing his performance seemed to be among the main factors leading to the holdout.