Ben Simmons could make Nets debut as soon as Game 4

BOSTON — Ben Simmons went by way of one other contact exercise Wednesday and made marked progress, so his Nets debut is trying an increasing number of like a case of not if, however when. And the when could possibly be as quickly as Monday throughout Recreation 4 in opposition to the Celtics.

“Yeah, he had a exercise [Wednesday]. I feel he got here out OK,” coach Steve Nash stated. “We’ll see how he feels [later], but it surely was one other step, and up to now so good.”

Nash deflected experiences the Nets had been concentrating on a Recreation 4 debut.

“That’s information to me,” Nash stated. “I don’t suppose we’re concentrating on any sport. I feel we’re attempting to see how he develops, how he progresses, and that is one thing that for the reason that latest historical past with the commerce has not been simple.

“Whereas it’s thrilling to see him on the ground and to see him make progress, I don’t suppose any of us are saying it’s imminent. I feel we’re gonna sit again and assist him and see how far he will get, and if he’s capable of play, that’d be nice, however we haven’t penciled in something, we haven’t made any conclusions but. I feel he’s bought a protracted methods to go earlier than he feels able to play.”

Ben Simmons (left) and his Nets teammate react in the course of the second quarter of Nets-Celtics Recreation 2 in Boston.

N.Y. Submit: Charles Wenzelberg

After arriving from the 76ers in a Feb. 10 commerce, Simmons has been coping with a herniated L-4 disk in his decrease again. He didn’t play within the common season, however now appears to be successful his race to return within the postseason.

Upon being cleared for contact Monday, Simmons blew proper by way of 1-on-1 and 3-on-3 work and went to 4-on-4 with the stay-ready group. He did contact work once more earlier than Recreation 2, which the Nets misplaced 114-107 to fall behind 2-0 within the collection.

“[Simmons] is coming alongside fairly good,” Nic Claxton stated. “He positively has an actual good swagger about himself proper now. So I feel the entire world is able to see him again on the market, and he can positively assist us out in quite a lot of methods.”

Although Simmons hasn’t been dominated out but for Recreation 3 on Saturday at Barclays Heart, a supply near Simmons informed The Submit that Monday is extra possible. The Nets have benefitted from their Recreation 4 being later than all people else’s.

“From what I hear, it’s optimistic,” stated Seth Curry, who performed alongside Simmons in Philadelphia and arrived in the identical commerce. “However I haven’t seen it myself. I’m simply listening to what individuals are saying. See what occurs.”