Nets' Ben Simmons: 'It Took a Lot of Effort and Patience' to Return from Back Injury

After playing his first game in nearly three months, Ben Simmons spoke about the recovery process that got him back on the court for the Brooklyn Nets.

Speaking to reporters following the Nets' 147-114 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday, Simmons said "it took a lot of effort and patience and time" for him to make it back and it was "great to see" that work pay off.

Simmons last played on Nov. 6 before being shut down due to a pinched nerve in his lower back. He's had lingering back problems since undergoing surgery in May 2022. Knee and back issues limited him to 42 games during the 2022-23 season.

Monday night was a reminder of what Simmons can do when he's healthy. The three-time All-Star had 10 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in just 18 minutes off the bench. He made all five of his field-goal attempts.

The 147 points marked a season-high for the Nets. It was their first non-overtime game with more than 140 points since Dec. 21, 2022. The 33-point margin of victory was also their biggest of the season.

Simmons' return immediately addressed the biggest problem Brooklyn has had all season. Its a roster constructed around a lot of wing players, but there wasn't anyone who could successfully distribute the ball to get the shooters easy looks.

If Simmons can stay healthy and gradually increase his playing time, he could help the Nets make a second-half turnaround. They're currently tied with the Atlanta Hawks in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 19-27 record.