Brooklyn Nets' Ben Simmons 'very hopeful' to play in Game 4 vs. the Boston Celtics Monday night

NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets swingman Ben Simmons continues to make progress from a back injury but likely won't play in Game 3 Saturday against the Boston Celtics, while noting that it was 'reasonable' to think he would play in Game 4 on Monday if he comes through the next couple days of workouts without any issue and was 'very hopeful,' to play at some point in the series.

«It's literally day to day,» Simmons said after Friday's practice. «So I've had plenty of great days which has been great for me in building up. So we're just trying to put those great days together and just keep building up to get back on the floor and play at that high level… If I could play right now, I'd be on the court. So it is what it is.»

Simmons said he has gotten two or three scrimmage days under his belt and expects to get at least one more in on Saturday, but both Simmons and Nets coach Steve Nash are unsure exactly what kind of impact he'll be able to have if he does play in this series.

«We'll find out,» Simmons said. «It's a good challenge, but I'm looking forward to it. Especially playing with these guys. I think for me, my IQ's so high, to play with guys like Ky [Irving] and Seth [Curry] and Kev [Durant]. Just watching them, I know how they play, I know how they want to play. And for me to just get them in their spots and be a floor general, it's exciting. I'm looking forward to it.»

Simmons has not played for the Nets since being acquired just before February's trade deadline from the Philadelphia 76ers. He has missed more than two months while dealing with a herniated disk in his back and has not played since June 20, 2021, during a Game 7 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. He asked for a trade out of