Ben Simmons’ limited minutes against the Grizzlies resulted in minimal setbacks for the Nets. After being listed as questionable with a sore left leg, Simmons played 15 minutes in a 111-86 win. This was a relief for the team as Simmons had been forced out of their previous game against the Timberwolves and didn’t return. The decision to play him went down to the wire, with Simmons testing his leg in pregame warm-ups before being cleared.
Simmons’ health concerns are magnified by his history of injuries. He has only played 57 games for the Nets, with most of his missed time attributed to a herniated disc and leg injuries stemming from his back issues. Despite these setbacks, Simmons managed to contribute four points, six rebounds, and three assists during his limited playing time against the Grizzlies.
The Nets have also been dealing with a dip in productivity from center Nic Claxton. Coach Kevin Ollie expressed his desire for Claxton to focus on crashing the boards, blocking shots, and running the floor. Ollie believes that Claxton’s athleticism will benefit the team if he can fulfill these roles consistently.
Prior to their win against the Grizzlies, the Nets had experienced a three-game stretch where they were outscored by a total of 93 points. Their offense struggled to reach even 90 points in any of those games, averaging just 85 points per game. This was the worst three-game stretch for the Nets since they joined the NBA.
In terms of injuries, Dariq Whitehead was the only Net missing from the lineup due to a left shin stress reaction. The team’s two teen rookies, Noah Clowney and Keon Johnson, are currently with G-League Long Island. The Nets’ rookies are among the four youngest players in the NBA this season. On the other hand, Memphis had several players out due to injuries, including Desmond Bane, Brandon Clarke, John Konchar, and Ja Morant.
Overall, the Nets were able to avoid any major setbacks with Ben Simmons’ limited playing time against the Grizzlies. With their offense struggling in recent games and injuries impacting both teams, the win was a much-needed boost for Brooklyn. They will continue to monitor Simmons’ health and focus on improving their overall performance in the coming games.
