Nets Notebook: Ben Simmons set to return Tuesday vs. Suns
After a bout with left knee soreness that rendered him unavailable to play for four straight games, Nets star Ben Simmons is available to return to the lineup.
The Nets held him out of Monday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers solely because they want him to play in the second game of a back to back against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
“Ben is actually available and could go tonight, but he is not going because he wouldn’t play in the back to back,” Vaughn said ahead of tip-off on Monday. “He is highly probable, or he probably will go tomorrow night. So that’s how that thing works.”
Simmons’ ability to play in both games of a back to back has been in question. He pulled himself from the second game of a back to back against the Detroit Pistons after taking a shot to the eye, only for team doctors to rule him out with left knee soreness shortly after.
It was the second time Simmons’ left knee flared up in a two games in two nights situation. He also suffered a lateral left calf strain in the second game of a back to back against the Orlando Magic in November.
Simmons is averaging seven points, six rebounds and six assists per game.
IRVING DEAL MADE OFFICIAL
The Nets issued a press release to make official the blockbuster trade that sent star guard Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for ex-Net Spencer Dinwiddie, forward Dorian Finney-Smith, and draft compensation.
Irving’s name was not mentioned once in the statement from general manager Sean Marks.
”We’re excited to add Spencer and Dorian to our roster, while also securing draft compensation that will increase our flexibility moving forward,” Marks said. “Spencer is a dynamic, multi-talented guard who we are very familiar with from his previous stint in Brooklyn. Dorian is an experienced wing who brings perimeter shooting and defensive versatility to our group. Together, the two players will fit seamlessly with our roster and provide the team with proven veteran talent.”
TEAMMATES REUNITED
Dinwiddie was the point guard for the Nets when current starting center Nic Claxton was a rookie in the 2019-20 season.
Claxton said he’s excited to reunite with his former teammate.
“My first year playing with Spence was good for me,” he said. “He really looked for me out on the court, and now I’m 10 times better than I was then. So I’m looking forward to playing with him and that will be fun.”
Claxton said he and Dinwiddie have linked over the summers.
“We don’t communicate every day, but he’s a guy whose familiar with everything here and the staff,” he said. “It will be a seamless fit.”
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