Ben Simmons’s chronic back problems have kept him out of the game.

Ben Simmons’ continuous back problems will keep him out of the game for the remainder of the regular season, the Brooklyn Nets confirmed Thursday morning.

“Ben Simmons will remain out for the remainder of the season while he consults with specialists and explores treatment options for the nerve impingement in his lower back,” the team stated in a statement. “Simmons, along with his representatives and Nets medical personnel, are currently in discussions with numerous experts to determine the course of action that will provide him with the best opportunity for long-term sustainable health.”

Due to an injury that kept him out of the game for 38 straight games and has now kept him out for the last five games, Simmons was only able to play in 15 games this season.

Simmons shown his ability to be a threat on the boards and to create opportunities for 3-point shooters on the perimeter with an average of 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. However, in those 15 games this season, he only shot 6-for-15 from the foul line and essentially refused to shoot anywhere else than the near proximity of the basket.

For the 2024–2025 season, Simmons, 27, has a $40.3 million contract that will expire.

During his five seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, Simmons—who was selected as the number one pick in the 2016 NBA draft—was named to the All-Star team three times, the All-Defensive team twice, and the third team in 2021. However, he eventually requested a trade that summer after the 76ers and the Atlanta Hawks lost Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference playoffs at home, never regaining the lead when Simmons missed an easy basket in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter.

He missed the remainder of the subsequent campaign until Philadelphia could trade him for James Harden in Brooklyn. Due to back problems, Simmons was unable to play for Brooklyn that season. The previous season, he managed to play 42 games before having more back problems that caused him to conclude his career early.

Simmons will have appeared in 57 of the 190 games that he could have played for the team since joining the Nets in the Harden trade.