Ben Simmons' debut for the Brooklyn Nets will have to wait a while longer. Simmons was ruled out for Game 4, despite considerable optimism that would be his long-awaited return game. The Nets said Simmons woke up on Sunday with back soreness, which reportedly caught the team by surprise.

When Brooklyn gathered at the practice facility on Sunday, Simmons informed them that he had a return of the back soreness that has kept him out since the February trade that sent him to the Nets. That was met with surprise and disappointment from the organization.

Steve Nash and Simmons' teammates had continually said in interviews that they weren't sure when Simmons would play. Privately, all of the Nets were prepared for him to play at least limited minutes in Game 4 on Monday.