You’re not gonna believe this.
Ben Simmons, the oft-injured Brooklyn Nets star, is out for the season again, the team announced Thursday.
Simmons will miss the remainder of the season due to a nerve injury in his back. He will seek treatment options and consult specialists for an impingement.
“Simmons, along with his representatives and Nets medical personnel, are currently in discussions with numerous experts to determine the course of action that will provide him with the best opportunity for long-term sustainable health,” the Nets wrote Thursday on Twitter.
Ben Simmons Medical Update:
Ben Simmons will remain out for the remainder of the season while he consults with specialists and explores treatment options for the nerve impingement in his lower back. Simmons, along with his representatives and Nets medical personnel, are…
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 7, 2024
Yikes. We joke about it often in sports circles, but this has to be so devastating for Simmons. What was once a career with so much promise looks like it could be coming to an end.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 10: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets heads for the net as Cedi Osman #16 of the San Antonio Spurs defendsin the first half at Barclays Center on February 10, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Elsa/Getty Images
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 29: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts after scoring during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Barclays Center on January 29, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 29: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles against Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at Barclays Center on January 29, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 13: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on February 13, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Celtics won 118-110. Sarah Stier/Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers took Simmons with the first overall selection in the 2016 NBA draft, but he didn’t play at all his first year in the league, sitting out the entirety of the season with a foot injury.
He would bounce back in a big way the next year, though, playing 81 of 82 games for Philly and earning the league’s Rookie of the Year award. He made the All-Star team in all three of his next seasons. However, his health seemed to slowly deteriorate. (RELATED: You Can’t Make This Up: Injury-Prone NBA Star Gets Hurt Again During First Game Back In Two Months)
He played in 79 games during the 2018-2019 season, but only 57 the next season and 58 the season after that. Then, in 2021-2022, his back injury kicked in and he missed the whole season. He’s only played in 57 games total since 2020-2021.
While I do feel for the dude, I also feel for the Nets, who gave up James Harden to get Simmons. Yes, they also got two first-round picks for the current Clippers-superstar, but still. Brooklyn put a lot into Simmons.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 25: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets gestures during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 25, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
I can’t help but thinking this is the end for him. Back injuries are tricky. He can’t shoot. He’s apparently not even all that passionate about basketball. I think we may have just seen the last of Ben Simmons. If so, I’m glad for all the memes he gave us.