Nets' Cam Thomas (ankle), Ben Simmons (maintenance) sit vs. Magic
Nets guard Ben Simmons slaps five with guard Cam Thomas in the first half of an NBA game against the Jazz at Barclays Center on Jan. 29. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
ORLANDO, Fla. — As expected, Ben Simmons did not play Tuesday against the Magic. He hasn’t been cleared by the Nets to play both games of back-to-backs.
Cam Thomas also sat out Tuesday with a sprained right ankle suffered in the fourth quarter Monday. The Nets said that Thomas had an MRI, but the results wouldn't be available until Wednesday at the earliest.
Thomas sat in the locker room pregame with his right ankle propped up on a chair and wrapped in a small brace. He had a noticeable limp after Monday’s game but said the ankle didn’t feel as severe as the left ankle sprain that caused him to miss eight games in November.
Simmons, listed as out due to injury maintenance, played 14 minutes Monday. He was listed as questionable with left leg soreness ahead of facing the Grizzlies but was cleared pregame.
Since his return on Jan. 29, Simmons has missed four of the Nets’ 13 games. The Nets haven’t given any indication when he’ll be fit to play back-to-backs and they have five more this season, including next Monday and Tuesday.
The good news is Simmons said he was feeling fine after the win over the Grizzlies. As of Tuesday, he’s played in more games (nine) since he's come back than he did prior to suffering a nerve impingement in his back on Nov. 6 (six).
“I think I’m getting closer,” said Simmons when asked if he felt fit to play on consecutive nights.
Bridges’ iron man update
Tuesday is Mikal Bridges’ 450th consecutive game played to start his career. After the All-Star break, he passed Tristan Thompson, who played 447 straight games between 2011-16.
Next on the list is Clifford Robinson, who had a streak of 461 consecutive games to open his career from 1989-95 with the Trail Blazers.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
