Is Ben Simmons playing today against Pistons? Exploring Nets star's availability (Nov. 3)

The Brooklyn Nets are looking to make it three wins in the row when the Detroit Pistons visit on Sunday but there were doubts over Ben Simmons' availability. However, Simmons is vaailable to play for the home game at Barclays Center.

Earlier, Eric Slater of ClutchPoints.com reported that Simmons is questionable for Sunday's game due to lower back injury management.

The 6-foot-10 point guard featured in the Nets' 120-112 home win against the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. Simmons started the game and played a total of 26 minutes. He finished with an impressive stat line, recording eight points, eights rebounds and 11 assists. The Australian shot 80% from the field and was instrumental in leading the team to their third win of the season.

The Nets have a 3-3 record after six games this season and Ben Simmons has taken the court in five of those games. So far, he has only missed the team's game against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday.

Earlier this week, coach Jordi Fernández said that Simmons would not play in back-to-back games.

"With Ben (Simmons), the plan is, for now, not to play in back-to-backs until we get a different update," Fernández said Tuesday.

Simmons has struggled with injuries over the last few seasons and there were concerns about the former three-time All-Star's health coming into the 2024-25 campaign. Last season, he managed just 15 appearances for the Nets. In the 2022-23 season, he played just 42 games. Simmons has not played more than 75 games since the 2018-19 season.

If Simmons is unable to play, it will be major blow for coach Fernández and Brooklyn. The Nets are already without forwards Bojan Bogdanovic, Trendon Watford and center Day'Ron Sharpe, who have all been ruled out with injuries.

Ben Simmons was the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft out of LSU

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons at Barclays Center. Photo Credit: Imagn

Coming out of college, Ben Simmons was one of the most sought after prospects in his draft class. The versatile guard/forward put up big numbers at LSU, averaging 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Simmons was named to the All-SEC First Team after an exceptional 2015-26 season

The Philadelphia 76ers drafted the highly rated star with the first pick in 2016. He rewarded the organization by winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2017-18. Since then, Simmons has been selected to the All-Star team on three occasions and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team twice.

Injuries have definitely hampered his career, but the 28-year-old is having a strong start to the season, and has shown glimpses of excellence over his first five starts.