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  6. article_body => "<p>On March 11, the NBA season was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. That also happened to be the last time before Tuesday that the Sixers had given an official comment on Ben Simmons\u2019 injury status. At the time, the Sixers said Simmons would be re-evaluated for the nerve impingement in his lower back in approximately three weeks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In a conference call Tuesday, general manger Elton Brand said Simmons, who missed the Sixers\u2019 final eight games before the league went on hiatus, is \u201cdoing really, really well.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>I give Ben and our medical staff a ton of credit for their hard work throughout his recovery,\u201d he said. \u201cI give Ben so much credit for him working so hard throughout this unknown time. Fortunately, we\u2019ve able to arrange for him to continue to get the treatment and rehab he needs during this hiatus. I\u2019m very optimistic he\u2019ll be able to play if and when we\u2019re given that green light to resume.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The Sixers are 6-5 this season without Simmons, the league leader in steals and a strong candidate for an NBA All-Defensive Team. Though NBA practice facilities have been closed, Brand noted that Simmons has been allowed to use the Sixers\u2019 facility in Camden, New Jersey, because of his injury.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBen and others have been given permission to use our facility,\" Brand said. \"It\u2019s essential that they have the proper equipment to workout and rehab, so he\u2019s been doing that ever since the first week. We were able to get him access there.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Would Simmons be playing if the postseason was&nbsp;currently taking place?<\/p>\n<p>Brand wasn\u2019t prepared to give a definitive answer, though he portrayed Simmons\u2019 progress in a positive light. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/ben-simmons-rehab-sixers-injury-update-2019-20-nba-season\" target=\"_blank\">ESPN\u2019s Jackie MacMullan<\/a> had reported on April 21 that Simmons would be \u201cgood to go\u201d if the season resumes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s tough, because with him not playing 3-on-3, 5-on-5 \u2014 just to speculate there,\u201d Brand said. \u201cBut when I FaceTime him during his workouts and his treatments and I see him, I\u2019d be highly encouraged. His ramp-up would be different. We\u2019ve taken&nbsp;our time, we\u2019ve been methodical and thoughtful about his recovery and rehab, making sure, because we weren\u2019t in a rush. It\u2019s hard to speculate. He\u2019s been working hard and I know he\u2019d be close or ready.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Subscribe and rate Sixers Talk:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/id1193293445\">Apple Podcasts<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/music\/listen?authuser&amp;u=0#\/ps\/Ilmsv7yqtikw5y7krsss4yritkm\">Google Play<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/06d2501p3gqUOlKramp84G\">Spotify<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/podcast\/nbc-sports-philadelphia\/zoos-views?refid=stpr\">Stitcher<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/sixers-talk-a-philadelphia-76ers-podcast\">Art19<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCXenWaHGZz4Ey4BObUUIyZQ\">YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/sixers-talk-a-philadelphia-76ers-podcast\/episodes\/0bdd1127-04de-4dfe-8be1-b0167404dae8\/embed\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><br><br><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/smart.link\/5bb788a3d5b83?site_id=Web_NBCS_Philly&amp;creative_id=nbcsphi1356&amp;cp_4=www.nbcsports.com&amp;cp_1=washington&amp;cp_2=myteams-nbc-sports&amp;cp_3=nbcsphi1356\">Click here<\/a> to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">More on the Sixers<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/ranking-top-11-allen-iverson-sidekicks\">Ranking the top 11 Allen Iverson sidekicks&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/josh-richardson-interview-sixers-nba-fashion\">Richardson rates Wilt\u2019s chest-baring fashion, Dr. J\u2019s swag&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/sixers-talk-podcast-interview-last-dance-producer-mike-tollin\">Sixers Talk podcast: An interview with \u2018The Last Dance\u2019 producer Mike Tollin&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/2020-nba-draft-profile-jahmius-ramsey-sixers-texas-tech-basketball\">This shooter could entice the Sixers at pick 22&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/best-sixers-2000s-allen-iverson-joel-embiid-ben-simmons-andre-iguodala-jimmy-butler\">The 17 best Sixers of the 2000s<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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76ers

76ers

On March 11, the NBA season was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. That also happened to be the last time before Tuesday that the Sixers had given an official comment on Ben Simmons’ injury status. At the time, the Sixers said Simmons would be re-evaluated for the nerve impingement in his lower back in approximately three weeks. 

In a conference call Tuesday, general manger Elton Brand said Simmons, who missed the Sixers’ final eight games before the league went on hiatus, is “doing really, really well.”

I give Ben and our medical staff a ton of credit for their hard work throughout his recovery,” he said. “I give Ben so much credit for him working so hard throughout this unknown time. Fortunately, we’ve able to arrange for him to continue to get the treatment and rehab he needs during this hiatus. I’m very optimistic he’ll be able to play if and when we’re given that green light to resume.

The Sixers are 6-5 this season without Simmons, the league leader in steals and a strong candidate for an NBA All-Defensive Team. Though NBA practice facilities have been closed, Brand noted that Simmons has been allowed to use the Sixers’ facility in Camden, New Jersey, because of his injury. 

“Ben and others have been given permission to use our facility," Brand said. "It’s essential that they have the proper equipment to workout and rehab, so he’s been doing that ever since the first week. We were able to get him access there.” 

 

Would Simmons be playing if the postseason was currently taking place?

Brand wasn’t prepared to give a definitive answer, though he portrayed Simmons’ progress in a positive light. ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan had reported on April 21 that Simmons would be “good to go” if the season resumes.

“It’s tough, because with him not playing 3-on-3, 5-on-5 — just to speculate there,” Brand said. “But when I FaceTime him during his workouts and his treatments and I see him, I’d be highly encouraged. His ramp-up would be different. We’ve taken our time, we’ve been methodical and thoughtful about his recovery and rehab, making sure, because we weren’t in a rush. It’s hard to speculate. He’s been working hard and I know he’d be close or ready.” 

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