The long wait for the Ben Simmons return is finally over.
The Aussie star will reportedly play in Game 4 of Brooklyn’s play-offs series against Boston on Tuesday after an extended break away from the game as a result of back injuries and mental health issues.
Simmons hasn’t featured in NBA in ten months, last playing for the Philadelphia 76s before an infamous blow-up lead to a playing stand-off before he was traded to the Nets earlier this year.
It was revealed last week Simmons was planning on coming back during the first round of the playoffs – and now it seems the Nets and the former Philadelphia star are on the same page.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania first reported Simmons will make his debut for the Nets in the critical Game 4, which is being played at Brooklyn’s Barclay’s Centre.
The Nets trail in the series 0-2. Game 3 is being played on Sunday (AEST).
Charania posted on Twitter Simmons will play “as long as rehab remains on course” in the next few days.
Charania told The Rich Eisen Show Simmons has already completed two full-court scrimmage training sessions and only needs to get through a third scrimmage session before the team locks him in for Game 4.
The report comes just days after Nets head coach Steve Nash denied the Nets had locked in a return date for Simmons.
“That’s news to me,” Nash said when asked whether Simmons was looking to play in game four.
Nash has consistently refused to lock in a date for Simmons’ return to the NBA but has not ruled out the possibility that the Aussie could feature in the play-offs.
“I don’t think we’re targeting any game. I think we’re trying to see how he develops, how he progresses and that’s something that, with the recent history since the trade, has not been straightforward.
“So while it’s exciting to see him on the floor and see him make progress, I don’t think any of us are saying it’s imminent.”
The Nets snuck into the play-offs by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference’s play-in tournament.
The surrendered Game 2 when they lost the final quarter 29-17 after leading by as many as 17 points. They will be desperate to turn things around in the third game on Sunday morning (AEST).
