Nets' Ben Simmons to Have Surgery on Back Injury; Recovery Time Reportedly 3-4 Months

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons is going to have back surgery on Thursday.

After consultation with multiple back specialists, it has been decided that the best course of action is for Ben to have a microdiscectomy.

Simmons is expected to make a full recovery in three to four months, with the expectation that he will be ready for training camp.

Simmons and his agent, Rich Paul, met with Nets general manager Sean Marks and team leadership to discuss how they will continue to work through the physical and mental hurdles in order for him to return.

The Nets lost to the Celtics in the fourth game of the series, which was ruled out for him.

Simmons will go down as one of the most scrutinized years for a star NBA player in recent memory. He requested to be traded from the Philadelphia 76ers before the season, but when a deal didn't happen, he stepped away from the team and said he needed time to address his mental health.

At the February trade deadline, the 25-year-old wanted to be traded to Brooklyn as part of the blockbuster deal that sent James Harden to Philadelphia.

Simmons picked up a back injury when he was ramping up for a return to the court and he was unable to play in the regular season.

It had been speculated that the Australian would be able to take the floor at some point during the playoffs, but he wasn't ready physically or mentally.