Ben Simmons would be first player ever to make team debut in the playoffs after a trade

That’s a high-stakes time for a debut. Especially for Ben Simmons. The last time he played, teammates reportedly suspected he faked a potential coronavirus exposure to dodge 76ers-Hawks Game 7. He hasn’t played all season due to some combination of trade demand/holdout, mental-health issues and back issues. His distinctive style – a tall point guard who’s an extremely reluctant shooter – could make it tough for him and his new teammates to mesh. Even without Simmons’ unique complications, there’s no precedent for someone debuting for a new team in the playoffs after a trade.
Source: Dan Feldman @ NBC Sports

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Rob Williams and Ben Simmons are racing back to get into an already intense series. So how does Time Lord’s return affect how the Celtics attack this Nets team?
It may not be as simple as just plugging him back in.
Join @The Athletic just $1 now: dlvr.it/SP4Wf8 – 7:19 PM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Blake Griffin (left ankle sprain) is questionable for the #Nets, Joe Harris (left ankle surgery) and Ben Simmons (return to competition reconditioning/back soreness) are out for Game 3 vs the #Celtics. – 5:13 PM Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Nets officially list Ben Simmons out for Game 3. – 5:12 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Nets rule Ben Simmons out for tomorrow’s Game 3. Joe Harris, of course, is out, too. – 5:12 PM CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Nets’ Ben Simmons on returning from back injury vs. Celtics: ‘I gotta get on the floor and help this team win’
https://t.co/PxHexXSuRj pic.twitter.com/7rOtayQz2S – 4:54 PM Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Ben Simmons hopeful for long-awaited return next week, but will it be too late? nydailynews.com/sports/basketb… – 4:35 PM Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Ben Simmons would become first player to make post-trade debut in playoffs nba.nbcsports.com/2022/04/22/ben… – 4:18 PM Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Ben Simmons is close to returning to the Nets, with Game 4 looking possible for his debut.
apnews.com/article/brookl… – 3:34 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Today’s story is up, on Ben Simmons discussing a possible Game 4 return with the Nets entering Saturday down 2-0 in the series: theathletic.com/3266502/2022/0… – 3:34 PM Ryan McDonough @McDNBA
Robert Williams, who had knee surgery just a few weeks ago, will apparently return to the Celtics/Nets series before Ben Simmons, who has not had any recent surgeries – 3:00 PM Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Barring a setback, Brooklyn’s Ben Simmons plans to play in Game 4 on Monday vs. the Boston Celtics, sources tell ESPN. – 2:50 PM Marc Berman @NYPost_Berman
“They’re playing all these guys who’ve had no time with each other:” Stan Van Gundy skeptical Ben Simmons’ Game 4 return will make difference for reeling #Nets. And he’s “a big fan” of Simmons #NBA nypost.com/2022/04/22/net… – 2:18 PM Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Steve Nash laughed at the possibility of Ben Simmons playing in Game 3 tomorrow, but there’s hope for a return for Game 4. pic.twitter.com/gMyzj74W5S – 1:30 PM Ian Begley @IanBegley
BKN’s Steve Nash says Ben Simmons will not play in Game 3 on Saturday. Nash says Simmons is scheduled to go through another workout on Saturday. Nash, as you’d expect, wouldn’t say anything definitive about Simmons’ status for Game 4. – 1:25 PM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Ben Simmons on if Game 4 is reasonable: “I think it’s reasonable to think that. But it’s just day to day, I can’t tell you now its definitely Game 4 or Game 3.” #nets pic.twitter.com/ymi3n8ebV8 – 1:12 PM Marc Berman @NYPost_Berman
Stan skeptical Ben Simmons’ return can save #Nets season amid already patchwork rotation #NBA nypost.com/2022/04/22/net… – 1:12 PM Ian Begley @IanBegley
“Once my body is ready I want to be able to help this team win. That’s what I’m here for.”
Ben Simmons says he feels good and return for Game 4 of Nets-Celtics is a possibility: pic.twitter.com/EO9SnfP0yC – 1:01 PM Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Ben Simmons confirms Game 4 return is realistic barring a setback. Sounds like tomorrow has been ruled out. – 12:53 PM Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Ben Simmons calling himself day to day at this point. Probably not ready for Game 3 on Saturday but maybe Game 4 on Monday – 12:48 PM Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Ben Simmons says ‘probably not’ when asked about playing in Game 3. He says he’s ‘very hopeful’ he plays at some point in series. Game 4 is a possibility — but it depends on how he’s feeling after each workout. pic.twitter.com/1krHIrjOPd – 12:45 PM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Ben Simmons doesn’t think Game 3 is likely but feels it’s reasonable to say Game 4 is possible. #nets #celtics – 12:44 PM Barbara Barker @meanbarb
Ben Simmons at practice. pic.twitter.com/Pvz6fxDMfs – 12:37 PM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Ben Simmons working at practice. #nets pic.twitter.com/acOv7jREXu – 12:29 PM Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Ben Simmons working with Kyle Korver after practice and saying hello to Joe Harris. pic.twitter.com/U5uJDx4gXU – 12:27 PM Anthony Puccio @APOOCH
With the season on the line tomorrow, the pain-free Ben Simmons can play in Game 4 Monday but not Game 3.
What??? – 10:37 AM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Ben Simmons planning Game 4 return with #Nets in deep trouble nypost.com/2022/04/21/ben… via @nypostsports – 10:10 AM Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Ben Simmons could make his Brooklyn Nets debut in Game 4 of their NBA playoff series vs. Boston Celtics inquirer.com/sixers/ben-sim… via @phillyinquirer – 6:48 PM

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