Ben Simmons Still Expected to Play this Season

76ers head coach Brett Brown still expects reigning first-overall pick Ben Simmons to suit up for the Sixers this season, per ESPN’s Jeff Goodman. Brown said, “Our plan is to still see him on the court, playing games. We just don't know when. I fully expect him to play this season. He thinks that, and he's motivated to play."

That’s a bit of relief for Sixers fans wondering just what will come of Simmons this season after suffering a Jones fracture in his right foot all the way back in September’s training camp. With an injury that was approximated as having a recovery time of three months, the expectation of Simmons taking the court soon has increased as the season has gone on. The Sixers’ obviously haven’t been the most transparent team in the world when it’s come to disclosing the timetables of its players’ injuries, but fear that Simmons wouldn’t play at all for the team this year have been quelled for the moment at least.

Brown indicated that Simmons is still only taking part in 5-on-0 drills and will not participate in any 5-on-5 action during the All-Star break. It doesn’t seem likely that Simmons will play this month, so here’s to hoping Sixers fans finally see his debut this March.