Nets' Ben Simmons out Through Play-In Tournament with Back Injury, per Steve Nash

Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons will miss the rest of the regular season and the play-in tournament while recovering from a back injury, according to head coach Steve Nash.

Simmons hasn't played for the Nets since the 76ers traded him to Brooklyn in a blockbuster deal that sent James Harden the other way.

He has been out of the lineup due to a back injury. Steve Nash told reporters March 21 that Simmons received an analgesia.

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer

Steve Nash said Ben Simmons got the epidural for the herniated disc @ShamsCharania reported on this morning. Said he had it a few years ago in Philly, but isn't sure when the Nets staff recognized it had returned.

An update was provided by Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

Ben Simmons is not close to playing for the Nets.

He is not likely to be ready for the start of the playoffs, I was told Thursday, as he is still trying to recover from a back injury that required an injection last month.

Simmons averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game during his four seasons in Philadelphia. He is a three-time All-Star and also earned the award for rookies of the year.

Simmons did not play for Philadelphia this season after requesting a trade. He held out of training camp for a while. He told the Philadelphia front office that he wasn't mentally ready to play.

Without Simmons, the Nets have turned to a starting backcourt of Irving and Curry, with Dragic and Mills picking up guard minutes off the bench.

Simmons will slide into the point alongside Irving when he enters the lineup, and Irving will move to a shooting guard-type role with Curry coming off the bench.