Ben Simmons out for at least another three weeks
- The Philadelphia 76ers will be without injured Ben Simmons for at least another three weeks.
![BenSimmons - cropped](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 800 450"></svg>)
Ben Simmons will spend at least another three weeks on the sidelines with a back injury.
All-Star point guard Simmons was forced off in the first quarter of the Philadelphia 76ers' defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks on February 22.
He has missed Philadelphia's past seven games and is set to sit out the next 11, with his next assessment to take place two weeks before the end of the regular season, the team have confirmed.
A 76ers statement read: "Ben Simmons (nerve impingement, lower back) continues to progress in his rehabilitation.
"He is receiving daily treatment and is gradually increasing the activities in his strength and conditioning programme. He will be re-evaluated in three weeks."
Simmons' injury has combined with a shoulder problem for Joel Embiid, leaving Philadelphia without their two leading players for their past five games. The Sixers went 2-3 in that stretch.
Back on the grind. #PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/gliloSE7jQ
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 10, 2020
Starting shooting guard Josh Richardson also missed their past three outings while he progressed through the NBA's concussion protocols.
However, Embiid was questionable to return against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, while Richardson was cleared to play.
Brett Brown's team went into the game with the Pistons sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 38-26 record.
Published 11 Mar 2020, 23:48 IST