Nets’ Ben Simmons is expected to return for the rivalry game against the Knicks

The Brooklyn Nets probably welcome Ben Simmons back into their lineup on Tuesday vs New York Knicks. Simmons is probably for a rivalry match after the disappearance Sunday’s 127-101 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to illness.

The three-time All-Star has struggled to stay on the floor lately. Brooklyn has been carefully managing his workload after his last two seasons were cut short by back injuries. After appearing in 26 of the Nets’ first 33 games, he has missed six of their last 10.

Still, this was Simmons’ healthiest season since joining Brooklyn in a trade at the 2023 deadline. The Australian appeared in 30 games, averaging 6.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. However, his offensive aggressiveness continued to decline, as he attempted 7.3 field goals and 1.1 free throws per 36 minutes, both career lows.

Ben Simmons is expected to return to the Nets lineup for the Knicks matchup

Simmons has seen his role expand over the past month since replacing Dennis Schroeder as Brooklyn’s starting quarterback. Over his last 11 appearances, the 28-year-old is averaging 8.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 28.5 minutes per game, the third-most on the team. He’s stepped up his aggressiveness as a scorer amid the role switch, attempting 7.1 field goals per game, though he still lacks head coach Jordi Fernandez’s goal of 10 per game.

D’Angelo Russell is questionable against the Knicks with a left hamstring injury. The veteran point guard has since missed five of 11 games with calf and hamstring injuries joined the Nets in a Dec. 29 trade from the Los Angeles Lakers.

Cam Thomas and Trendon Watford will also be sidelined for the match. Thomas has missed Brooklyn’s last nine games after aggravating a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a month earlier this season. The fourth-year guard will be reevaluated in the coming days when the Nets return from their six-game road trip.

Watford have been off since December 16 due to stretching of the left hamstring. The 24-year-old missed the first six weeks of the regular season with a strained hamstring.

The Nets had lost eight of their last nine games entering Tuesday. Brooklyn will likely be cautious about injuries during the second half of this season as it looks to maximize its chances for the draft lottery.

The Knicks have also struggled of late, losing six of their last 10 games. New York will be back-to-back against Brooklyn for the second night after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 119-110 on Monday. The Nets matchup will mark Michael Bridges’ first game at Barclays Center since the summer hit.