Ben Simmons not cleared for practices by Brooklyn Nets, who hope Kevin Durant is able to return later in week

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Nets coach Steve Nash said Monday that Ben Simmons has not been cleared for practice as he recovers from the back pain that he has been dealing with.

Simmons will not practice the rest of this week, and it is unclear when he will be able to make his debut for the Nets.

Nash said that he was just doing light shooting and physical therapy.

Nash spoke before the game against the Raptors, but he was not on the sideline after entering the league's health and safety protocols. Nash was ruled out before the game began.

Simmons was hoping to play against his former team in Philadelphia on March 10, but this latest back issue puts that in jeopardy. The good news for the Nets is that his teammates and coaches continue to say he is in good spirits as he starts a new chapter in Brooklyn. Simmons wanted to be traded from the 76ers because of his mental health concerns.

Simmons seems like himself, according to his former teammate in Philadelphia, Nets center Andre Drummond.

Nash said Monday that he hopes Kevin Durant will be back later this week, but he ruled him out of Tuesday's game in Toronto. He has been out since January with a left knee injury.

Nash said they were hopeful that he could play this week. I think that would be Thursday or Sunday. Kevin is getting close, which is exciting. Ben is working on a number of things. He isn't going to play this week, but we will keep working on his timetable and hopefully he progresses well.

Nash said that while a final decision hasn't been made yet, it was likely that both players wouldn't accompany the team to Toronto in advance of Tuesday's game.

Nets guard Bruce Brown said after the shootaround that he looked like his old self.

Brown said that he didn't look hurt to him. He looks good.

The sentiment was echoed by Drummond.

He's going to come back and make a difference in the game. With our chemistry together on the floor, it will be difficult for teams to pick their poison, with who they want to guard, along with Kyrie, and when Ben comes back. We have a lot of threats and we go on the list.