The Philadelphia 76ers have been without Ben Simmons since February 22nd when he left a game in Milwaukee early in the first quarter with a sore back. Since then, it’s been a series of nebulous timelines about Simmons’ eventual return. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne is reporting that Sixers have hope Simmons will return before the playoffs.
Shelburne clarifies that at this point that is just hope for the Sixers. Because of the nature of Simmons’ back injury, an exact return date is unpredictable. Simmons is scheduled to be re-evaluated next week, but only if the inflammation in his back has subsided.
Philadelphia has gone 3-3 over the last two weeks while Simmons has been sidelined. The Sixers wrap up a four-game west coast trip at the Warriors on Saturday. Following that game, Philly will return home for 11 of their final 19 games. That’s welcomed news for the 76ers, who are an NBA-best 28-2 at home.
To top it off, the Sixers should also get Joel Embiid back in the lineup soon as well. Embiid has missed the team’s last four games with a sprained left shoulder. Brett Brown recently said that Philadelphia can win a championship with Embiid and Simmons playing together. The 76ers just hope they get to see that again this season, and sooner as opposed to later.
