Ben Simmons, All-Star guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, is close to being cleared for a return to action should the NBA season resume.
Simmons was unfortunately sidelined with nerve issues in his lower back as the season was getting shut down on March 11 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He was the league leader in steals when the league was suspended.
As of right now, Simmons is allowed to rehab at the 76ers’ practice facility in Camden, New Jersey.
However, the injury was severe enough to think that he wouldn’t have been cleared to play in time for a Sixers playoff run.
When talking about how the team approached Ben Simmons, Sixers GM Elton Brand said on Tuesday, “We’ve took our time, we’ve been methodical and thoughtful about his recovery and rehab, just to make sure, because we weren’t in a rush.”
He went on to add that “It’s hard to speculate. He’s been working hard, and I know he’d be ready close or ready.”
Prior to the NBA suspending action, Simmons had missed eight straight games while receiving daily treatment for his nerve impingement.
Brand also told the media that he wouldn’t be speculating on Simmons’s availability had the Sixers still been playing in the postseason.
Up to that point, Simmons had yet to participate or play 3-on-5 or 5-on-5 as his rehab prohibited it.
His next evaluation was scheduled to happen in early April.
During the season Simmons had averages of 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in 54 games.
Simmons and Joel Embiid both have permission to use the Sixers practice facility during their rehab.
Embiid had been recovering from left hand surgery and had even returned after missing five games with a sprained left shoulder at the time of the hiatus.