Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant preparing to face Boston Celtics without Ben Simmons

NEW YORK — As the speculation surrounding Ben Simmons' potential debut for the Brooklyn Nets continues to be a talking point inside the NBA, Nets star Kevin Durant admitted Thursday that he is preparing as if Simmons won't return as the Nets get ready for their Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup with the Boston Celtics.

«I'm not expecting him to play,» Durant said after Thursday's practice. «That's easier for me. I'm not putting any pressure on Ben to come out there and hoop. So I'm not expecting him to do anything but just to get his body right and get healthy as fast as he can. So in my mind, I'm preparing as if we're playing with the team we have.»

Simmons, who was acquired by the Nets just before February's trade deadline from the Philadelphia 76ers, has not played in an NBA game in almost a year after requesting a trade from the Sixers last season, citing mental health concerns. Simmons has been dealing with some back soreness since late February and has not been cleared to participate in a practice since coming to Brooklyn. Nets coach Steve Nash said Thursday that Simmons still isn't doing any 'basketball conditioning' and continues to do individual rehab work.

«It's up to Ben's back,» Nash said. «It's not up to me, any of us, other than his back — and how we can help that resolve, great. There's a chance Ben comes back, there's a chance he doesn't come back. So I think for us we got to focus on the group; support Ben and his journey to get back on the floor, but at the same time we don't have time to lose focus on the group that's playing.

»Ben's a franchise cornerstone — but right now it's about supporting him physically and mentally to get back on the floor and coaching the group to put its best foot