Ben Simmons leaves game after irritating lower back, will have MRI

MILWAUKEE – Ben Simmons will have an MRI on Sunday on his lower back.

This comes action the 76ers point guard returned to action in Saturday night’s 119-98 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. He was unable to finish the first quarter.

Simmons irritated his lower back on a layup with 8 minutes, 24 seconds left in the quarter. He stayed in the game and later made a foul shot at the 7:21 mark. However, he subbed himself out of five seconds later.

As a result, the point guard had five points, two rebounds, one assist and one block in 4:44 of action. He made both of his field-goal attempts.

Multiple sources said Simmons is scheduled to undergo further examination back in Philly after the team left Wisconsin due to his back injury.

This comes after Simmons missed Thursday night’s 112-104 overtime victory over the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center due to the injury.

On Saturday, Simmons was originally scheduled to go back to the locker room for treatment whenever he came out of the game to loosen his back up. However, he didn’t return due to the irritation.

The Australian was reportedly emotional after leaving the X-ray room at the Bucks arena late Saturday night.

But Simmons was asked following Saturday morning’s shootaround if the tightness was gone and if he’s 100%.

“I wouldn’t play if I wasn’t ready to play,” he responded.

Simmons reported discomfort at Wednesday’s practice, and received treatment. However, the two-time All-Star still experienced discomfort upon waking up Thursday morning and received more treatment at the practice facility.

Simmons has been dealing with lower-back tightness since the 2018-19 season.

The Australia native missed that campaign’s final two preseason games due to it, then he left the team’s Oct. 20, 2019 game against the Orlando Magic with back tightness with 4 minutes, 19 seconds left in the first quarter. Simmons did not return, and missed the following game.

He was a welcomed addition for the Sixers (35-22) vs. the Bucks, who hold the league’s best record of 48-8. Simmons took averages of 16.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, an NBA fifth-best 8.3 assists and a league-leading 2.2 steals into the game.

The third-year veteran had 17 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block for Team LeBron in Sunday night’s All-Star Game.

Simmons has missed three games this season. He missed the first two games with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.