For the primary time since becoming a member of the Nets, Ben Simmons took half in pregame warm-ups at Barclays Heart. And whereas he watched the regular-season finale from the bench, there's not less than some hope he can debut within the postseason, however there are a number of steps to go earlier than he will get there.
“Who is aware of? There’s no timetable for his return proper now. So, he’s clearly obtained some markers to hit,” mentioned Steve Nash. “He’s not even going full pace on the court docket or on the submit. So the timetable just isn't set. We’re simply going to proceed to teach him and play as a gaggle right here and Ben will proceed to work laborious and rehabbing. And at any time when the time comes, we’ll be grateful.”
After a league supply had advised The Publish that Simmons’ herniated L-4 disc had improved sufficient to begin doing extra motion and even get on an AlterG (anti-gravity) treadmill, he was on the court docket taking pictures earlier than Sunday’s win over Indiana.
“I believe he does AlterG, which is clearly non-full-weight bearing,” Nash mentioned. “I wouldn’t say there’s any conditioning operating. He’s been doing a little motion, however nothing full pace but.”
Earlier than the sport, each ESPN and the Athletic reported that there was hope that if Simmons continues to enhance and scale back the ache in his again, he might return for not less than part-time obligation within the first spherical. However Nash tempered expectations.
“He’s doing slightly little bit of motion. Nonetheless, one-on-zero stuff. He nonetheless has a variety of milestones to achieve. But it surely’s optimistic; not less than he’s shifting round slightly bit,” mentioned Nash, including Simmons has stored up morale. “He seems actually optimistic and completely satisfied and inspired and is simply working away at his rehab.”
Kevin Durant (20 factors, 10 rebounds, career-high 16 assists) had a career-high fourth triple-double of the season within the 134-126 win over the Pacers.
Goran Dragic (well being and security protocols) is again in Brooklyn and has been feeling higher for the previous 4 or 5 days. Returning to the lineup for Tuesday’s play-in sport towards Cleveland remains to be up within the air.
“It completely is determined by if he will get his means out of the protocols,” mentioned Nash. “If he will get his means out of the protocols, he might play on Tuesday. However we've to see if he will get himself out. It’s attainable.”
The Nets transformed rookie Kessler Edwards’ two-way deal to a normal NBA contract Sunday, making him eligible for each the play-in and the playoffs.
“Only a lengthy yr of laborious work and simply pushing by all of the ups and downs that I went by and I believe I’ve been sort of rewarded by it now by having the ability to play within the playoffs,” mentioned Edwards. “So I’m very completely satisfied about that.”
The deal runs by the remainder of this season with a crew possibility for subsequent yr, based on Hooopshype. League guidelines restricted Brooklyn to inking Edwards to a two-year, minimal deal. The transfer additionally stored the 21-year-old from turning into a restricted free agent this summer time.
To transform the Edwards deal, the Nets waived James Johnson, 35, the one sad a part of the state of affairs.
“Yeah it positively is,” mentioned Edwards. “It sucks it needed to be that means, particularly any individual like James Johnson, somebody who I actually appeared as much as and he instilled a variety of confidence in me to have the ability to get so far. So yeah, positively is.”
Post a Comment