Ben Simmons will not play back-to-backs indefinitely due to injury, says Nets HC | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

The Brooklyn Nets don't plan on using Ben Simmons for both consecutive games in the foreseeable future.

Head coach Jordi Fernández told reporters that the veteran guard will miss Tuesday night's game against the Denver Nuggets, while the Nets will play the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. This is the plan the team will follow until told otherwise.

Persistent back injuries caused Simmons to miss the entire 2022-23 season and only appeared in 57 games over the next two seasons combined. He went through a microscopic partial discectomy in March, which was his second back procedure in three years.

The NBA's pause policy includes exceptions that allow “star” players to miss games without violating the rules. A documented injury history is one of those exceptions that Simmons would easily qualify for.

More than anything, Fernández's comments reinforce that the 28-year-old is simply a lost cause for Brooklyn at this point.

Fans have long since given up on the idea that Simmons could ever again become a dynamic, two-pronged force who has made three consecutive All-Star Games. Since joining the Nets, he has struggled to stay healthy and his production has fallen far short of his time with the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 6.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists.

What's more concerning than the numbers is that Simmons still looks far too reserved around the basket for someone of his size and skill. There is simply no reason for him to keep failing on such shot attempts in the paint.

Simmons is headed to free agency this offseason and it will be fascinating to see what his market looks like. At this rate there shouldn't be many takers.