When Simmons hadn’t suffered season-ending back injuries in consecutive years yet. When Claxton, now seemingly the only player with a guaranteed future in Brooklyn, hadn’t yet surpassed Simmons in the team’s pecking

Nic Claxton could return to the Nets starting lineup next week as he continues to progress back from a preseason hamstring injury.

Nic Claxton returned to the Nets’ starting lineup, seemingly for good, on Friday against the Boston Celtics. That meant Ben Simmons, who had started six games at center this season in place of a limited Claxton, came off the bench for the first time in 2024-25.

Jordi Fernández moved Ben Simmons out of the Brooklyn Nets’ first five in the team’s close overtime loss to the Boston Celtics.

Claxton, who started his first game this season on Monday night with the Nets down to one healthy center, was anxious this week about regaining his role. “Hopefully soon” Claxton said before the Nets’ loss to the Pistons on Sunday. “We’re playing good basketball and that’s what matters.”

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons came off the bench for the first time this season in Friday's loss at the Boston Celtics.

Nic Claxton and Ben Simmons haven’t started together so far this season. And it doesn’t sound like it’ll happen until Simmons makes it happen, until he plays so well that Nets coach Jordi Fernandez has no choice but to start him.

Simmons played his seventh game of the season. Last season, he played in six of the Nets’ first seven games before suffering a pinched nerve that kept him out for 2 1/2 months and eventually limited him to 15 games.

Simmons (back) did not play in Saturday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, however, against the Boston Celtics, the point forward came off the bench for the first time this s