Another day, another new reason Ben Simmons’ name appeared on the Nets’ injury report.
He is listed as questionable for the Nets’ Monday night clash against the Grizzlies with a left lower back nerve impingement.
Simmons has missed three straight games, albeit for different reasons.
He was out for the Nets’ last two games — consecutive wins over the Hawks — due to left leg soreness.
Before that, he didn’t play in the Nets’ loss to the Magic, though that was described as rest and maintenance, as he is not yet cleared to play in back-to-backs.
He had played the night before in a win over the Grizzlies.
The Nets said Simmons’ leg soreness stemmed from the back impingement.
Simmons, who has played just 15 games this year, notably missed over two months earlier this season with the same back injury.
But he had not been listed with the back injury since returning in late January.
Cam Thomas, who has missed three straight games with a right ankle sprain, was ruled out for Monday’s game.
The Nets picked the perfect time to get their defense in order.
It likely saved their season.
A dramatic defensive turnaround sparked Saturday’s 114-102 win over the Hawks, which kept them within two games and striking distance of the No. 10 seed in the East and the final play-in spot.
The Nets came out flat and were shredded in the first half, surrendering 62 points on 53.3 percent shooting from the field and 45.5 percent from behind the arc. They quickly found themselves trailing by 13.
But whatever interim coach Kevin Ollie said at halftime resonated.
The Nets gave up just 40 points in the second half on 30.9 percent shooting from the field. They improved dramatically in their 3-point defense, forcing the Hawks to shoot a paltry 1 of 12 from behind the arc.
“We stopped letting them catch and shoot 3s,” Ollie said after the game. “I think we really made a point of that: being at their doorstep when they catch the ball and making them drive, and then understanding that we got to pursue the drive, but we got Nic [Claxton] back there. And Nic was — he was a monster. He blocked shots, getting a rebound while he was on the ground, I mean he was doing everything back there.”
Claxton finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals.
His rim protection gave his teammates confidence to close out on shooters aggressively, knowing he’ll be waiting in the paint to help if they’re beat off the dribble.
“We picked up our energy,” Claxton said. “They were scoring too many points, especially at the beginning of the game, so it was just a collective effort from everybody. Locking in, and I think we started with a point of attack with our guards. Picking up full court and we really turned up the intensity.”
The Nets will likely avoid facing Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr., who is doubtful for their clash with right quad tendinitis.