Report: Ben Simmons aiming to make Brooklyn Nets debut as early as Game 4 vs. Boston Celtics

NBA fans haven’t seen Ben Simmons in action all season long, but it sounds like that might change soon.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said Thursday on “Get Up” that the three-time All-Star is aiming to make his season debut in the first round of the playoffs. Simmons’ Brooklyn Nets are set to take on the Boston Celtics in the first round, and according to Windhorst, the 25-year-old is looking to play as early as Game 4.

If Simmons does indeed play in Brooklyn’s series against Boston, it’ll be fascinating to monitor whether or not he struggles to fit in right away. After all, it’s rare for a star player to make his debut for a team in the playoffs, and things get even trickier when the team has multiple other star players that haven’t played with the newcomer before.

Still, a potential Simmons return in the first round would almost certainly do wonders for the Nets on the defensive end of the floor. Brooklyn’s defense has some flaws, and Simmons, a player known largely for his value on defense, would surely make an immediate impact in that regard.

Simmons last played in the 2020-21 season. In that campaign, he averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 55.7 percent from the field.

The Nets are going to have to play at a very high level to defeat the Celtics in the first round, and Simmons would surely love to be a part of the team’s formula to get the job done. Time will tell if he does indeed play.