Ben Simmons's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons (back) has officially been upgraded to active on Monday, which will mark his first game played since Nov. 6. So far this season, he's only appeared in six games, as he's been dealing with an impingement in his back. Back injuries have caused him to miss a full season and some change, so the team will likely take every precaution to try and get him on the floor longer. In his first game back against the Utah Jazz, he'll come off of the bench, and there hasn't been a report on his exact minutes restriction just yet. It's likely that it won't be too many after missing 40 games. If he was already a stash, then he could be started in fantasy leagues, but it's not recommended to pick him up off of waivers just yet in most leagues.

Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons (back) is available for Monday's game versus the Utah Jazz. Simmons will make his long-awaited return after spending nearly three months on the shelf due to a nerve impingement in his left lower back. The oft-injured former All-Star is averaging 6.5 points on 52.8% field-goal shooting, 10.8 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 0.8 blocks over six games and should be picked up in shallow fantasy leagues where he may be available. Simmons is likely facing a minutes restriction, but he is eventually going to eat into Spencer Dinwiddie's playmaking opportunities and the playing time of Dorian Finney-Smith as well as Royce O'Neale.

Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons (back) has been listed as probable for Monday's contest against Utah. Nets head coach Jacques Vaughn said at the weekend that there's a "high likelihood" Simmons will play on Monday, and it indeed looks like he'll make his first appearance since Nov. 6. Simmons had a solid start to the season with a number of near-triple-doubles, but he can't be expected to perform at his best straight away after missing nearly 40 games. However, it's great to see him being available again, and Simmons could make a big impact in fantasy basketball.

Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons (back) could return to the court as early as Monday. Simmons has been sidelined since early November due to lingering back issues. He's currently practicing with the Long Island Nets. The organization is hopeful that Simmons can return for Monday's matchup against the Utah Jazz. However, Simmons would be on a strict minutes restriction if he does play. That being said, Simmons wouldn't be a recommended fantasy option until he's back to full speed. Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O'Neale would be the two players who would likely lose the most value with the return of Simmons.

Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn said on Tuesday that guard/forward Ben Simmons (back) will not play in the team's next three games. Simmons traveled with the Nets on their recent three-game West Coast road trip, which suggested his return was imminent, but this latest timetable rules him out until at least Jan. 29 at home versus the Utah Jazz. The former Philadelphia 76ers standout hasn't suited up for Brooklyn since Nov. 6 due to a nerve impingement in his left lower back in what's been yet another injury-plagued season, and it remains unclear if he suffered a setback in his progression after participating in 5-on-5 scrimmages recently. Though it hasn't been enough for consistent fantasy relevance, Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O'Neale will continue sharing Simmons' minutes for however long he remains on the shelf.