Ben Simmons to Come Off Bench for Nets vs. Celtics amid Back Injury Management

Ben Simmons will come off the bench for the first time during the 2024-25 season on Friday.

Simmons was replaced by center Nic Claxton in the Brooklyn Nets' starting lineup ahead of a matchup with the Boston Celtics.

The forward was ruled out of the Nets' 106-104 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday as he managed a back injury, with the game occurring on the second night of back-to-back contests.

Simmons previously started in each of his first six appearances to begin the regular season.

The 28-year-old has averaged 5.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game while shooting 61.5 percent from the field this season.

Simmons has struggled to make an impact on both ends of the floor, as his minus-7.8 net rating represents the second-worst mark among Nets players to appear in at least five regular-season games (via NBA.com). On the other hand, Claxton owns the second-best net rating on the roster.

The Nets also appear to be taking a cautious approach with Simmons' playing time, as he underwent back surgery for the second time in three years on March 14. Head coach Jordi Fernández told reporters on Oct. 29 that the forward won't participate in both legs of back-to-backs moving forward.

Simmons hasn't always been a consistent member of Brooklyn's starting lineup since he was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia 76ers in Sept. 2022. He's come off the bench in 12 of his 63 career appearances with the Nets.

That doesn't appear to be his preference, though. Simmons previously explained that he thinks he's "more useful starting than on the bench" when dealing with a minutes restriction during the 2023-24 season.

As the three-time All-Star attempts to bounce back from a sluggish start to the year, he'll look to make an impact as a reserve against the reigning champions on Friday.