Ben Simmons could return to the game in the first round, if allowed by the Brooklyn Nets playoff series.

According ESPNSimmons would be back near the end of the first round when Games 1 and 2 were too early for him.

Anyone who has played in three all-star career games would be limited to a few minutes.

Using it could be about 10 or 15 minutes per game to be able to return earlier to play.

Simmons has a back injury and has not yet played for the Nets, who acquired him last February on behalf of James Harden.

After Sunday afternoon, the Nets knew they were going to face the Cleveland Cavaliers for the tournament by giving them access to the playoffs.

The winner of this match between the seventh and eighth ranked teams in the East will win their ticket to the playoffs. The loser will have to face the winner of the duel between the Charlotte Hornets and the Atlanta Hawks.

In the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Clippers will decide on seventh place. The New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs will also try to join the party as the ninth and tenth teams in the standings.