The Brooklyn Nets hope Ben Simmons can return for a "couple" of regular season games before the Eastern Conference playoffs begin.
The Nets had an original target return of Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers, but that became impossible in recent weeks due to the inability of Simmons to go more than day or two in rehabilitation without pain flaring up in the lower back.
With his team in Orlando, Simmons had an epidural shot, coach Steve Nash said Wednesday, and the hope is that will help with the recovery.
The Nets play the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers in their two final regular season games April 8 and 10, respectively, prior to the start of the play-in tournament.
Brooklyn acquired Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 10.