Brooklyn Nets All-Star Ben Simmons has remained sidelined with an irritation of the L-4 disc of the lower spine and hope remains he can return for a “couple” of regular-season games prior to the Eastern Conference playoffs, according to Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.

ESPN reporting with @RamonaShelburne: Brooklyn Nets All-Star Ben Simmons has remained sidelined with an irritation of the L-4 disc of the lower spine and hope remains he can return for a “couple” of regular-season games prior to the Eastern Conference playoffs. Story soon.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 16, 2022

Wojnarowski later elaborated on when Simmons may make his debut for Brooklyn.

When Simmons started in rehab in Brooklyn, there had been a quiet target date of Friday vs. Portland for a return, sources said. Now, the hope is Simmons can play a couple of games -- perhaps April 8 and 10 -- before the opening of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 16, 2022

ANALYSIS: So it turns out Simmons' injury may not have been as fabricated as many believed it was. Hopefully this issue will be taken care of before the playoffs because on paper, Simmons could be a serious game-changer for the Nets. His presence brings much-needed versatility and defense.