We were already talking about it yesterday, and it is becoming more and more concrete. Ben Simmons, absent from the field since June 2021, should indeed make his return and at the same time his big debut with the Nets during Game 4 of the series against Boston. We take stock of the latest news.
The Woj and Shams are engaged in a merciless battle over Ben Simmons’ comeback. On Wednesday, the first told us that Game 4 next Monday represented a “realistic date” for the Australian’s return to the courts. Today, the second goes further by claiming that a return for the fourth inning is squarely in the cards…provided everything goes according to plan during the Boomer’s rehabilitation in the days to come. If you don’t really understand the difference between the two updates from our favorite insiders, we go from possibility to probability and that makes all the difference. Sorry Woj. It is indeed the first time since Simmons landed in Brooklyn that a real return date has been set for the former Sixer. We had heard a lot of rumors so far, it was first talking about a possible comeback in the first round of the Playoffs and then it was games 4 to 6 of the series against Boston. This time, we really have something concrete and we can therefore psychologically prepare to see Ben Simmons on the court after months of speculation. No doubt it will be weird. Not only because it’s been since June 2021 and this terrible Game 7 against the Hawks that he has not participated in an NBA match, and then also because he will finally start in his new Brooklyn colors.
Coincidence or not, this Shams bombshell drops just after the Nets’ second loss to the Celtics yesterday. Led 2-0, Steve Nash’s men are back to the wall and clearly need a boost. Between Kevin Durant who lives a nightmare, Kyrie Irving who was practically invisible in Game 2, and New Yorkers who are eaten in intensity by the band at Ime Udoka, the Brooklyn season has never been so close of its outcome. Anything other than two straight wins at Barclays Center would arguably doom the Nets so there is clearly urgency. We’ll see what Simmons can bring after such a long absence, but his return can do Brooklyn some good in the sense that he theoretically has the athleticism to weigh in on the frontcourt against Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Co. But for his return to really have an effect, the Nets must first manage their business on Saturday in the third meeting by returning to 2-1 in the series just to have a little momentum. Because today, the Celtics are on a small cloud, they who won Game 1 at the buzzer and Game 2 by going up a deficit of 17 points under the impetus in particular of their role players. Can the Brooklyn team forget that to bounce back this weekend? Not sure…
Ben Simmons is almost back, remains to be seen if it will be too late or if his comeback will represent an element that can allow the Nets to reverse this very complicated series against Boston. In any case, the Boomer should play basketball again this season and that was still not won.
Source texte : The Athletic
Brooklyn Nets three-time All-Star Ben Simmons plans to make his season debut in Game 4 vs. Boston on Monday as long as rehab remains on course, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Simmons is set to play his first game since June 2021.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 21, 2022
