NBA: Ben Simmons fate known next week

by Agence France-Presse

Will Ben Simmons ever debut this NBA Season? That is the question going around these days and the answer to that may finally be known by next week. Simmons is scheduled to have his broken right foot examined next Thursday in New York which could render when he can make his NBA debut.

The 20-year-old forward from Melbourne suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal last September 30 on the final day of a pre-season training camp. On January 23, doctors examined a CT scan and found an inner portion of the bone had not mended, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer citing unnamed sources.

“His next CT scan is scheduled for February 23, after which our medical team will thoroughly review and evaluate his status moving forward. Ben’s long-term health remains our primary concern,” 76ers president Bryan Colangelo said.

Just after the injury, Simmons had been expected to return in January. Now there is concern he might miss the 2016-17 campaign entirely. Simmons takes part in on-court drills but not scrimmages and the team wants him to go through scrimmages before playing in games.

Regardless, Simmons could be better off sitting out the rest of the season. The Sixers are 21-35 and occupy 13th in the Eastern Conference. They are 5 1/2 games behind the Detroit Pistons for the eighth spot with only 26 games remaining.