{"id":1486858,"date":"2022-02-28T22:48:09","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T03:48:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1486858"},"modified":"2022-02-28T22:50:57","modified_gmt":"2022-03-01T03:50:57","slug":"ben-simmons-injury-update-has-philadelphia-76ers-fans-accusing-former-star-of-running-scared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/ben-simmons-injury-update-has-philadelphia-76ers-fans-accusing-former-star-of-running-scared\/","title":{"rendered":"Ben Simmons Injury Update Has Philadelphia 76ers Fans Accusing Former Star of Running Scared"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Recently acquired Ben Simmons<\/a> hoped to make his Brooklyn Nets debut in time for a March 10 visit to face his old squad, the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a>. But according to the Nets, that debut is delayed. The 25-year-old is dealing with back soreness during his ramp-up to game condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some in Philadelphia aren\u2019t buying the whole \u201csore back\u201d thing. When Simmons belatedly reported<\/a> to the 76ers in October, he sought treatment for back soreness. The three-time All-Star last played in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in June. It was an inglorious final appearance in a Philadelphia uniform and set off a months-long drama leading to the trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During his introductory press conference in Brooklyn, Simmons said he hoped to be ready by the March 10 game in Philly. Not surprisingly, there were those in the City of Brotherly Love who weren\u2019t sold on that thought, either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ben Simmons won\u2019t practice this week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the first half against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center | Adam Hunger\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

According to Nick Friedell of ESPN<\/a>, Ben Simmons hasn\u2019t been cleared for practice and won\u2019t participate this week. Coach Steve Nash didn\u2019t say when the Australian star would return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s just doing some light shooting and just physical therapy,\u201d Nash said. \u201cJust making sure that he gets that back 100%, just that little flare-up, and while he does shooting and his reconditioning stuff that he\u2019s able to do while that thing settles down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simmons has been working extensively with player development coach Kyle Korver, another former member of the Philadelphia 76ers, on his free-throw shooting, which became a significant problem during last year\u2019s playoffs. In 12 postseason games, the left-hander was a dreadful 25-of-73 from the line (34.2%). He hit just 33.3% (15-of-45) in the seven-game second-round loss to the Atlanta Hawks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s a career 59.7% foul shooter in the regular season. That figure drops to 52.0% in the playoffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Brooklyn hopes to get Kevin Durant back soon, perhaps as quickly as March 3 against the Miami Heat, there is no timeline for Simmons\u2019 eventual Nets debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a lot of doubt coming from Philadelphia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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