Nets vs Celtics

2022 - 4 - 26

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

Why Ben Simmons Wasn't on the Nets Bench for Game 4 vs. Boston (Sports Illustrated)

The 25-year-old wasn't even in the arena when Brooklyn took the floor on Monday night.

He was acquired by the Nets in a blockbuster trade that landed James Harden with Philadelphia back in February. However, he was not on the bench during Monday’s game in Brooklyn. “The sense very much today was he [Simmons] needed more support, he needed more help to get there,” Wojnarowski said on ESPN Monday. “There is still a mental health part in this equation that the Nets and Rich Paul and Ben Simmons have to continue to work through together.”

Nets vs. Celtics score, takeaways: Jayson Tatum leads Boston to ... (CBSSports.com)

The Boston Celtics have clinched their spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals after their 116-112 win over the Brooklyn Nets in Game 4 of their ...

Smart fouls Durant in the back court, but remember, Boston is up 3. But Boston fought back for the win and did so as a team. In the grand scheme of things, Boston surviving the final 2:38 without Jayson Tatum doesn't change the magnitude of their victory. The Nets found Griffin too late, and they paid the price for it in this series. They may not sweep every round and they may not even reach the Finals. But what they did to a Nets team that was far better than it had any right to be considering its injuries was one of the more impressive feats we'll see this postseason. That's what happens when someone who's outside of your rotation becomes a key piece in the middle of a playoff series. They won the remainder of the series by seven. The Boston Celtics have clinched their spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals after their 116-112 win over the Brooklyn Nets in Game 4 of their best-of-seven series. None of this is meant to undermine the Celtics. If anything, sweeping this specific Nets team in four close games is perhaps even more impressive than doing it in four blowouts. But before you fire off your jokes about the Nets getting swept, just keep in mind how close this series really was. There will be plenty of questions facing the Nets this offseason and it seems safe to say that they will have to deal with those questions much sooner than anyone had expected. Marcus Smart is the DPOY, but the man can ball on offense too.

Nets vs. Celtics Game 4: Stream, lineups, injury reports and ... (Nets Wire)

Here's all you need to know ahead of the Nets' win-or-go-home Game 4 against the Boston Celtics.

Despite a week of reports that Simmons planned to make his Nets debut in Game 4, Brooklyn listed Simmons as out in the official injury report. The Nets will not be getting any help from Ben Simmons in the most important game of the season, either. The Brooklyn Nets‘ season is on the line in Game 4 on Monday night, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

Celtics vs. Nets - Game Recap - April 25, 2022 - ESPN (ESPN)

Get a recap of the Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets basketball game.

“But as far as an organization, we’re really pushing to support Ben in any way we can to help him improve physically and get back on the court, and then the mental side of that is part and parcel. Simmons cited mental health concerns as a reason he sought to leave Philadelphia and didn’t suit up for the 76ers this season. But he went to the bench with a fifth foul with 8:17 remaining and the Nets made a push that got them within three points about three minutes later. With Durant, Irving and James Harden, the Nets began the season as a team that looked potent enough to win their first NBA title. The Nets were down only 45-44 with 3:29 to play in the second quarter. The Celtics showed no fear of the Nets, who with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving didn't have the profile of the typical low seed.

'This can't be real': Kyrie torched for 'delusional' answer (Fox Sports)

'This can't be real': Kyrie torched for 'delusional' answer.

I could be a head coach.” KD could be a head coach. “I don’t really see us having a head coach,” Irving said back in 2020.

Timeline of Nets misery: How injuries, vaccine mandates and trades ... (Sporting News AU)

After entering the season as a favorite to win the NBA title, Brooklyn entered the postseason as a Play-In team and, once in the playoffs, was swept by Boston ...

As you could imagine, it was a series of events that ultimately resulted in the Nets' downfall. April 24, 2022: With the Nets facing a 3-0 series deficit, Simmons hits another setback in his return-to-play and is downgraded to out for Game 4 after it was slated to be his debut. April 12, 2022: The Nets defeat the Cavaliers, 115-108 in the Play-In Tournament, setting up a playoff rematch with the Celtics. Due to New York City regulations against unvaccinated persons, Irving's status meant he would not be able to play in home games. April 10, 2022: The Nets finish the season with a 44-38 record and the East's seventh seed, meaning they would play in the Play-In Tournament. Later in the day, it is revealed that Simmons is dealing with a herniated disk in his back. March 10, 2022: Still inactive, Simmons is jeered on the bench as the Nets travel to Philadelphia to earn a 29-point statement win over the Sixers. Feb. 2, 2022: The Nets suffer an 11-point road loss to the Kings — their sixth loss in a row. Feb. 5, 2022: Harden is sidelined with a hamstring issue and reports surface that he is frustrated with his time in Brooklyn and would be open to a trade. Jan. 1, 2022: The Nets enter the new year with a 23-11 record, good for second in the Eastern Conference. Jan. 15, 2022: Durant suffers a sprained MCL in a win over the Pelicans and is ruled out for four to six weeks. Oct. 19, 2021: The Nets suffer a 23-point loss to the Bucks on opening night of the 2021-22 NBA season.

Brooklyn Nets' season of dysfunction ends in NBA playoff sweep ... (USA TODAY)

The Nets' miserable season ended in an awful playoff loss to the Celtics with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant struggling and Ben Simmons unable to play.

It’s understandable that with Durant and Irving, two of the game’s best one-on-one players, that isolation basketball can be effective. Sharpshooting guard Joe Harris missed almost the entire season with an ankle injury, and his absence, especially as a scorer and floor spacer, hurt. Against a physical defense that knocked him all over the court with multiple defenders of different sizes, strength and speed and oftentimes double teams, Durant struggled offensively. After the game, he maintained he's with Durant in Brooklyn for the long term. His decision to decline the vaccine played havoc on Brooklyn’s season, and he had the gall after Game 3 to lament Brooklyn’s lack of cohesion this season. There’s room to criticize Simmons for how he has handled the situation this season while still remembering he is a human being.