Ben Simmons missed his 11th straight game Thursday night, sitting out a 129-128 loss to sorry Charlotte.
Those waiting to see him play should get a little more clarity by this weekend.
The Nets’ lone former All-Star hasn’t played since Nov. 6, out with a nerve impingement in his left lower back.
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On Nov. 22 the team said in a statement that he would have his status updated in “7-10 days.”
There was no information forthcoming before Thursday’s tilt and they have Friday off.
“We’re gonna give you something on Saturday probably, overall of where Ben is at,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said. “He has been included in all our meetings, film, and all that stuff. We’ll give you something on Saturday about what he’s been doing on the court.”
After the injury, a specialist told The Post that Simmons would likely need two weeks of rehab, and another two weeks before he could play.
Backup point guard Dennis Smith Jr. was out after being questionable with a lower back sprain.
The defensive specialist told The Post he was feeling better and nearing a return.
“Yeah he’s ramping up,” Vaughn said. “He’s getting close to being back on the floor for us.
“I think overall, you always hear me say I want the athlete to be mentally and physically ready to play when he gets back on the court. Dennis is trending definitely still towards that direction, no setbacks, and hopefully we’ll see him soon.”
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The starting line-up remained the same for the eighth time in nine games.Leading scorer Cam Thomas, on a minutes restriction in his first game back from a sprained ankle, came off the bench to score 26 points in 25 minutes.
Wing Royce O’Neale was scratched after having initially been listed as questionable with a left hip contusion.
The veteran was 12 of 22 (54.5 per cent) from behind the arc in his prior two games.
LaMelo Ball was out with a right ankle sprain suffered in Sunday’s loss to Orlando.
Brandon Miller (left ankle), Nic Richards (concussion), Frank Ntilikina (leg) and Cody Martin (knee) were all also out for the Hornets, who’d lost six of eight.
Charlotte’s Miles Bridges was booed during introductions, but the welcome was nowhere near as vitriolic as it had been Tuesday at the Garden.
The small forward came in averaging 19.8 points and eight boards since returning from suspension.
He had been arrested on a felony domestic violence charge last November.
This story originally appeared on the New York Post and has been reported with permission