Ben Simmons averaged 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 15 games this season.
NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Simmons underwent back surgery for the second time in three years, with him and the Brooklyn Nets hoping the procedure will provide the relief he needs to complete a full season.
The Nets said Simmons had a tiny partial discectomy Thursday to relieve a pinched nerve in his lower back. The surgery was performed at UHealth Jackson Memorial Medical Center by Dr. Timur Urakov, in consultation with Dr. Barth Green.
Ben Simmons Medical Update:
Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons underwent a successful microscopic partial discectomy earlier today to relieve nerve impingement in his lower back. The procedure was performed by Dr. Timur Urakov, in consultation with Dr. Barth Green, at…
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 14, 2024
The No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA draft is expected to make a full recovery in time for training camp next season. He has played in just 57 games since the Nets acquired him from Philadelphia in the 2021-22 season.
Simmons injured his back as he tried to regain his conditioning after the trade after not playing for the 76ers to start that season due to mental health concerns. He had a microdiscectomy, a procedure to remove a small fragment of a herniated disc, after the season ended.
Simmons then played in just 42 games in 2022-23 before being shut down in March with a nerve attack in his lower back. That injury set him back just six games into this season and limited Simmons to just 15 games, including a 38-game losing streak at one point.
The Nets announced last week that the three-time All-Star would not play again this season and would instead pursue treatment options.
Simmons finished with averages of 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists. He has one year and about $40 million left on his contract.