Shams: Ben Simmons out vs. the Celtics in Game 4

Nets are listing Ben Simmons as OUT for Game 4 vs. Celtics, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. A surprise as Simmons had been expected to play Monday as long as rehab was on course.

Nets are listing Ben Simmons as OUT for Game 4 vs. Celtics. A surprise as Simmons had been expected to play Monday as long as rehab was on course.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 24, 2022

ANALYSIS: Is this truly a surprise? It's asking a lot out of a player to come back after having been out for an entire year that has little familiarity with the team into a series that they're losing pretty badly. It's probably in the Nets' best interest to not throw Simmons to the wolves like that. This isn't necessarily Brooklyn waving the white flag, but more or less, preparing aptly for what could be their last game of the season.