Brooklyn Nets list Ben Simmons as out for Game 4 vs. Boston Celtics

The Brooklyn Nets have listed Ben Simmons as out for Monday's Game 4 against the Boston Celtics.

The Nets and Simmons expected he would be ready to play on Monday, but after getting on the court yesterday Simmons said he awoke with back soreness today, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

In the end, the team and Simmons agreed he'll remain out for Game 4.

Simmons has not played in an NBA game since June 20 after requesting a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers over the summer. He was dealt to the Brooklyn Nets ahead of the trade deadline but has been dealing with a herniated disk in his back since late February.

Nets coach Steve Nash said after Sunday's practice that he had «no idea» whether or not Simmons would make his season debut on Monday and that it would depend on how Simmons' back felt after the last few days of workouts.

For his part, Simmons said Friday that he was hopeful to play at some point in this series, and left open the possibility that he would play Monday — but Nash made it clear that Simmons would have to be comfortable before the Nets would put him back on the floor.

The Nets face elimination on Monday as they trail the Celtics 3-0 in the first-round series.