After returning from injury, a visibly happy Ben Simmons sees the potential for the Nets to be a solid squad, and he wants to be a part of it going forward.
“We can be really good if we do everything that we need to do,” Simmons said. “But that takes time and focus and dedication from front office to last guy on the bench to training staff to coaches. So it’s a team effort, and we can get there if everyone buys in.”
Sidelined since Nov. 6 with a nerve impingement in his lower back, Simmons made his return to spark Monday’s 147-114 rout of Utah.
Simmons had 10 points, 11 assists, eight boards and no turnovers, and was plus-27 in just 18 minutes, 14 seconds.
After taking an awkward fall on his final play, he’s listed as probable for Wednesday night’s game against visiting Phoenix with a left knee contusion.
After seeing Simmons miss 38 straight games this season, the Nets — on the hook for the rest of this season at $37.9 million and next for $40.3 million — don’t want any new health issues.
But for his part, Simmons praised their support.
“It’s amazing because this is probably one of the best teams in terms of just friendships I’ve been a part of. Everyone gets along, we don’t have egos or anything like that on the team, and guys want to win and compete,” Simmons said. “So for me to be able to be in an environment like this is amazing. I get to come to work with a bunch of friends that want to get better and compete. So, I’m happy.”
Simmons, who has dealt with mental health issues in the past and seen a therapist, was beaming after Monday’s healthy return.
He was clearly enjoying being on the court, flashing a Cheshire Cat grin.
Coming off the court after a play, he made a beeline toward GM Sean Marks with a smile.
“Ben doesn’t want to be hurt. He didn’t want to be hurt,” said coach Jacque Vaughn, who visited Simmons multiple times in Florida during his offseason rehab. “He was playing good basketball at the beginning of the year for this team. And we were in a lot of close games at the beginning of the year.
“And so he wants to play. I’ll say that to the world or whoever: He wants to play. He wants to play here. He has the ability to impact a team.”
Brooklyn has shored up its leaky defense since reverting from drop coverage back to more switching on Jan. 5 vs. Oklahoma City.
Since then, the Nets have posted the sixth-best defensive rating and ninth-best net rating in the league.
While the Nets have split their past six games, Cam Thomas is averaging 25.7 points and three assists on 55.2/43.3/87.5 shooting splits, and Mikal Bridges is right behind at 25.3 points and 3.8 assists on 50.0/44.8/72.7 shooting.
Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle sprain), Day’Ron Sharpe (left knee hyperextension), Dariq Whitehead (left shin stress reaction), Noah Clowney (G-League) and Keon Johnson (G-League) are out vs. Phoenix.
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