Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons has been sidelined since November 8 due to consistent suffering from a lower back nerve impingement.
Though there have been many question marks regarding his possible return to action over the past few months, recently rumors have started to surface suggesting that he could soon be on the verge of making his way back to the hardwood.
Saturday, this sentiment only managed to strengthen as it was reported by ClutchPoints beat reporter Erik Slater that the Nets have officially assigned Simmons to their G League affiliate team out on Long Island.
Brooklyn Nets officially assign Ben Simmons to G League team
Per the report, the former All-Star will be heading out to the Nassau Colosseum with fellow teammates Noah Clowney and Harry Giles III for a practice run this weekend.
Should all go well, and Simmons not suffer any setbacks, the hope is that he could wind up suiting up for the varsity team's home bout against the Houston Rockets this coming Monday which could prove to be a major benefit for Brooklyn.
THIS BEN SIMMONS SEQUENCE 🔥
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 17, 2023
BEHIND-THE-BACK ASSIST & DUNK. pic.twitter.com/z1sNRNTpA1
Throughout the majority of the 2023-24 campaign, the Nets have been plagued by stagnant offense thanks, in large, to their lack of a true lead guard and high-end facilitator, as they rank a middling 17 in the league in assists per game.
While Simmons may not appear to be the perennial All-Star talent the team believed to be getting when acquired two seasons ago, throughout his tenure he has still proven himself to be a reliable play-maker for his teammates, and was even dishing out a team-high 6.7 dimes per night prior to going down with his back ailment just six games into the year.
With the 27-year-old back at full strength, the hope, then, would be that his talents can help rejuvenate this struggling Nets squad and, in turn, bring them back to a position where they can make a legitimate run at their sixth-straight playoff berth during this second half of the season.
Him being assigned to the G League is a great step in the right direction.
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