NBA World finally gets answer on Ben Simmons mystery

The Brooklyn Nets have come forward to reveal part of what is really going on in the mystery surrounding Ben Simmons.

Ben Simmons isn’t ready. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images.

It appears the Nets know the “what” with Ben Simmons — even if they are still seeking the “when.”

According to The Athletic, Simmons has a herniated disc in his back, which provides a diagnosis to what has been the biggest mystery around the Nets.

However, the mystery is not fully solved: It is still not clear whether the former 76ers star can play for the Nets this season.

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Simmons received an epidural Wednesday Tuesday in an attempt to relieve the pain and accelerate his recovery, but it is not publicly known whether the shot has worked.

The Nets, who are currently 37-34, have 11 games remaining including Monday’s matchup with the Jazz at Barclays Center.

With less than three weeks of regular-season play left to go, Simmons is nearly out of time, especially considering the Nets typically require three high-intensity practices before green-lighting a player back to the court.

Simmons has had a history of back issues that date back to February, 2020. The team has consistently referred to this injury as “soreness” or “tightness,” though coach Steve Nash revealed Friday that Simmons had an MRI exam weeks ago that showed a strain.

Ben Simmons was ice when returning to Philadelphia for the first time this year. Elsa/Getty Images/AFP.

The Nets acquired the young star February 10 in the deal that sent James Harden to Philadelphia.

Simmons had stayed away from the 76ers all season to tend to his mental health. The Nets have said that Simmons is OK mentally and will play once he is OK physically, too.

Kevin Durant — who returned from a strained right calf injury only to suffer a torn Achilles in the 2019 Finals — said Simmons is in good spirits and should not rush back.

“He looks good as far as just walking around and being around the team. Haven’t seen him do anything on the basketball court as much, but a couple walk-through things,” Durant said Monday after shoot-around.

“I definitely don’t want him to rush back for us and his back is not right, so take all the time he needs to get his body right. And once he’s out there, we’re ready to rock and roll.”

This is the fourth time in two years his back has put him on the sideline — and is quickly running out of time on the season.

— This story originally appeared on nypost.com and has been republished with permission