Ben Simmons to undergo back surgery
The Brooklyn Nets announced on Wednesday that Ben Simmons will undergo back surgery on Thursday.
Simmons didn't play for the Nets this season following a February trade from the Philadelphia 76ers. After reports that he might join the Nets lineup for its first-round series against the Boston Celtics, Simmons remained sidelined as Brooklyn was swept out of the playoffs. The Nets announced prior to Game 4 that Simmons wouldn't play, citing "back soreness."
He'll undergo a procedure called a microdiscectomy to alleviate pain, according to the Nets.
"After consultation with multiple back specialists, it has been determined that the best course of action for Ben's long-term health is for him to undergo surgery," the Nets statement reads. "The microdiscectomy procedure, scheduled for Thursday, is designed to alleviate pain caused by the herniated disc in Ben's back. Further updates will be provided following the procedure."
Per the University of Southern California Spine Center, a microdiscectomy is "a very common, if not the most common, surgery performed by spine surgeons."
"The operation consists of removing a portion of the intervertebral disc, the herniated or protruding portion that is compressing the traversing spinal nerve root," according to USC. ... "Today, many surgeons use a microscopic surgical approach with a small, minimally-invasive, poke-hole incision to remove the disc herniation, allowing for a more rapid recovery."
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Simmons is expected to need 3 to 4 months for a "full recovery" and that Simmons is expected to be "ready to return well ahead of training camp."
Simmons hasn't played since the Philadelphia 76ers lost in the second round of last year's postseason with reports citing both back and mental health issues as the reason he remained sidelined.
Multiple factors including Simmons' absence and Kyrie Irving's limited availability due to his COVID-19 vaccine status derailed the Nets this season amid championship expectations. Assuming Simmons and Irving are available to play next season, they'll join Kevin Durant on the core of another Nets team expected to compete for a title.
