The Philadelphia 76ers announced on Saturday that point guard Ben Simmons needed surgery to remove a loose body from his injured left knee.
Simmons will leave the bubble for the procedure. A timetable for his return is not clear.
“After consulting with the 76ers medical staff and several specialists, Ben Simmons will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a loose body in his left knee,” read a statement from the team.
Simmons suffered the injury during Wednesday’s win over the Washington Wizards. He came to limping after catching a rebound in the third quarter and did not return to the game.
On Thursday, he was diagnosed with a subluxation of his left patella – a partially detached kneecap.
Simmons a long shot to come back
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the 76ers did not advised Simmons for the season, but that they need to make a deep run in the playoffs before considering a return. As of Saturday afternoon, the 76ers were in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, which would result in a likely first-round matchup with the Boston Celtics.
Simmons, 23, has averaged 16.4 points, eight assists and 7.8 rebounds this season, his second straight as an All-Star. He suffered a pinch in the back earlier in the season that cost him the last eight 76ers games before the NBA closed for COVID-19.
Shake Milton took over as the 76ers’ point guard to start bubble play as Simmons shifted to a point lead. The mover pushed Al Horford to the bench. He will likely return in an early frontcourt role alongside Joel Embiid in Simmons’ absence.
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