The Brooklyn Nets’ season is teetering on the brink of elimination, with Brooklyn heading into Monday night’s Game 4 down 0-3 to the Celtics in Round 1 of the 2022 NBA playoffs.
That potential end will come without Ben Simmons on the court, as the Nets ruled him out of Game 4 on Sunday afternoon; Simmons reportedly re-aggravated a back injury that has prevented him from taking the court with Brooklyn — and the 76ers — this year.
There was hope that Simmons, who was reportedly inching towards being ready to play in Game 3, would be able to play in Game 4. Per Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets are “taking him (Simmons) at his word” regarding his injury. Reading between the lines, it sounds like this was more Simmons’ decision not to play over Brooklyn’s.
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Simmons was traded from Philadelphia to the Nets alongside Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and a pair of first-round picks for James Harden and Paul Millsap in February, and was diagnosed with a herniated disc in his back in March.
Simmons hadn’t played with the 76ers amidst a trade request, and didn’t play with the Nets while nursing the back injury.
While Simmons was preparing to play for the Nets and had gone through over a week’s worth of ramp-up work without any pain, the Nets’ near elimination may have changed plans for Simmons.
To that end, many NBA analysts, commentators and former players were displeased with Simmons’ setback, calling it “sad,” “pathetic” and a “heist.”
First up, Stephen A. Smith’s reaction to the Ben Simmons news:
The NBA on TNT crew had strong words for Simmons, as well.
“In the hood we call this a punk move,” Shaquille O’Neal said. “If your back hurts, get some Icy Hot, I’ll send it to you.”
“Fans are important and significant,” Charles Barkley said of Simmons criticism. “But, when the players don’t respect you, that’s a big deal.”
And others chimed in, as well:
