Ben Simmons Rumors: People Exasperated by This Saga; PG Had Genuine Optimism to Play

Ben Simmons will not play for the Nets on Monday as they continue to be frustrated by him.

Brian Windhorst said on Get Up that the people involved in the saga are tired of it.

Simmons has not played all season but was expected to return for Game 4 of the first-round series on Monday but was ruled out due to back issues.

The latest in the situation was provided by Windhorst.

"I know that this might have the appearance of Ben Simmons saying 'I don't want to play, we're down 3-0.' But, he woke up yesterday with his back hurting, that is what I have been told. It's as simple as that. He just didn't feel comfortable going to play for the first time in 11 months with the way his back felt. That's the bottom line. It's extraordinarily disappointing because he had, I would say, genuine optimism for at least a week that he was going to play in this game. He wasn't even ruling himself out for Game 3. And so, the Nets were expecting to get this, he was expecting to play. It was another knee-capping moment in what's been a season of knee-capping moments for Ben Simmons." 

The Nets are down in the series.

Simmons was traded to Brooklyn in February for James Harden. Mental health concerns kept Simmons from playing with the 76ers, but it was a back injury that limited him with the Nets.

The guard played his last NBA game in June of last year.

Simmons initially intended to return for Game 4 of the series, but cautioned that it was still a slow process.

He told reporters that if he could play, he would be on the court.

Steve Nash was unsure about the situation when he was asked about it on Sunday.

Nash said that it depends on how he improves and where he is.

Simmons could miss the entire season if the Nets are eliminated.

The 25-year-old remains under contract for three more seasons, but there are likely serious question marks about his future after failing to get onto the court.