In a blow to the Brooklyn Nets, star point guard Ben Simmons will be sidelined for at least another week due to a pinched nerve in his lower back. The injury has been nagging Simmons for the past three seasons, and this latest setback has kept him out of the past six games. However, there is some good news on the Nets' front, as leading scorer Cam Thomas is making progress in his recovery from an ankle injury. Thomas, who was averaging an impressive 26.9 points before his injury, has been cleared for increased on-court activity and is expected to rejoin team workouts next week.
Simmons' absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Nets. The former No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft has been a key contributor to the team, and his injury comes at an unfortunate time as the Nets are battling to stay atop the Eastern Conference. This is not the first time Simmons has dealt with back issues, as he missed several games after the All-Star break last season due to a nerve impingement. Despite the setback, the Nets remain hopeful that Simmons will return to action soon, as he has already begun light individual court work.
On a more positive note, the imminent return of Cam Thomas is a glimmer of hope for the Nets. The rookie guard had been on a scoring tear before his ankle injury, and his presence on the court will provide a much-needed boost for the team. Although Dennis Smith Jr. also suffered a lower back sprain, his injury is listed as day-to-day, so the Nets might soon have all hands on deck as they continue their quest for success in the highly competitive NBA.