Video: Nets’ Ben Simmons Says He’s ‘More Useful Starting Than on the Bench’

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Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons’ preference is to start despite currently playing under a minutes restriction after missing 38 games with a nerve impingement in his lower back.

Simmons made his remarks to reporters after starting and playing 20 minutes in his team’s 119-107 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday evening.

Simmons returned on Jan. 29 against the Utah Jazz, playing 18 minutes off the bench in a 147-114 win. He suffered a left knee contusion and sat his team’s 136-120 loss to the Phoenix Suns two days later. Simmons was able to go on Feb. 3, though, playing 13 minutes off the bench in a 136-121 win over his old team, the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Nets then rested Simmons for the front end of a back-to-back set, so he was sidelined for Brooklyn’s 109-98 loss to the Golden State Warriors last Monday.

However, he returned to the starting lineup the following day, posting nine points, nine rebounds and seven assists against the Mavs.

The Nets’ injury situation led to Simmons getting the starting nod. Brooklyn notably played without Cameron Johnson, Lonnie Walker IV, Day’Ron Sharpe and Dorian Finney-Smith.

Simmons appears capped around the 20-minute mark right now, far below the usual standard for a starter in the league.

However, he clearly just enjoyed his best game since returning, so the Nets could in theory stick with Simmons in the starting lineup for now as he works his way back to a full workload.

Up next for Brooklyn is a home date with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday evening.