Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons could be back in action in the back end of his team’s first round series vs Boston, reports ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
Simmons has yet to participate in five-on-five practice, but he is targeting a return to the court in Games 4, 5 or 6, per Windhorst.
Nets head coach Steve Nash recently ruled out Simmons for the rest of the regular season and the play-in tournament.
Reports surfaced for a potential return on Sunday, but, head coach Steve Nash claimed he has no idea when he is going to be ready to play.
Simmons has gradually ramped up his workload in practice after suffering a back injury near the start of his rehab process.
The first overall pick of the 2016 draft has yet to play on an NBA court this season. He hasn’t played an NBA game since last June in the notorious series vs Atlanta.
He held out while with the Philadelphia 76ers before the team eventually moved him for fellow star James Harden.
There was pessimism around Simmons’ condition at the end of the regular season when the Nets ruled him out from the play-in tournament.
Simmons could add a new dimension to a great offensive team coming into a series against Boston, one of the best teams in the NBA since January.
The three-time All-Star averages 13.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.1 assists over 34 career postseason appearances while shooting 57% from the field and 52% from the free-throw line.
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