Nets’ Simmons showing improvement, to be reevaluated in two weeks

 Ben Simmons won’t return to the Brooklyn Nets until at least January because of a pinched nerve in his lower back.

The Nets stated Wednesday that Simmons, who sustained his latest back injury Nov. 6, has shown consistent strength improvement in his back over the past two weeks.

However, they added that he is still doing only individual court work and that his status would be updated again in approximately two weeks.

“We’re doing this two-week thing just to give you some sort of semblance of being able to communicate with you,” head coach Jacque Vaughn said. “But he’s just continued to improve strength-wise, which is the biggest thing for him, which has allowed him to continue to do things on the floor. … We’ll see where he’s at in two weeks, but all signs are pointing towards him improving, which is the best thing, and heading in the right direction for us.”

Simmons played in six matches before he was hurt and has missed 20 already this season after his last two seasons were cut short because of back problems. The No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft received an epidural injection as part of the planned rehabilitation from this injury.

Looking for the best online betting site and Live betting? Visit Heritage Sports

While Simmons certainly has his fair share of skeptics, Vaughn believes he will be back on the court this season and continues to communicate with him accordingly.

“For me, my conversation with Ben is still about the game, and so I’ll talk to him about the road trip, some of the things that happened on the road trip,” Vaughn said. “So, my interaction is still based around the game, knowing and hoping and believing that he will return and fit right back in.”

In other injury news, the Nets stated that Dennis Smith Jr., who has missed the last six games with a sprained upper back, has been cleared for full basketball activities and will be listed as questionable for their game Friday versus Denver.

Lonnie Walker IV, out the last eight games with a strained left hamstring strain, is expected to progress to 5-on-5 play in the coming days with hopes of returning to the lineup next week.

Get all the latest Live Betting and Sport News updates on your social media outlets. Find us on both  Facebook and Twitter