Ben Simmons has not played basketball since June 2021. After the Brooklyn Nets were eliminated, Simmons reportedly told the organization that he would suffer from a “mental block” that would cause him back pain.

After a good workout on Saturday, Simmons seemed determined to make his Nets debut on Monday in Game 4 against the Boston Celtics. Brooklyn acquired the young star from the Philadelphia 76ers on behalf of James Harden on February 10.

However, he told his coach, Steve Nas, on Sunday that he could not participate in the game due to a stiff back. Simmons’s decision received a lot of criticism, as the Australian seemed fit and ready to play in his last training sessions.

According to The Athletic’s, the 25-year-old point guard would meet with the Nets’s staff along with his agent. During this meeting, Simmons reportedly said that he would be mentally excluded from his last game with the 76ers in June 2021.

According to him, this stress would be directly responsible for his back pain. Remember that after the dismissal of the Sixers, Simmons was strongly criticized by Doc Rivers, his then coach with Philly. Joel Embiid did not hold back and also questioned the commitment of his teammate.

Simmons, however, reportedly told the Nets that he wanted to continue playing basketball. The tournament would have reiterated its confidence in him and the Nets would be ready to work with the star to be ready for next season.