The Brooklyn Nets announced Friday that Ben Simmons «will remain out of action» after an evaluation revealed a pinched nerve in his back.

Simmons has been out since February 15. Even before that, he was in and out of the lineup, playing in 42 games.

The Nets «will determine the best long-term course of treatment.«

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Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets stands for the national anthem before a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 22, 2022 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Simmons missed the entire 2021-2022 season with what he said were mental health issues, missing a significant number of games due to injury since joining Brooklyn.

When he’s been on the court, he’s been a shell of himself. With the Philadelphia 76ers he averaged 15.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists. Since he joined Brooklyn, those numbers have dropped to 6.9, 6.3 and 6.1.

Simmons has dealt with back problems since last year, but has been out of the lineup since the All-Star break with a knee injury.

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons during a game against the New York Knicks on February 13, 2023, in New York.

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons during a game against the New York Knicks on February 13, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Simmons joined Brooklyn as the centerpiece of a blockbuster deal that sent James Harden to Philadelphia, ushering in the end of the Kevin Durant-Kyrie Irving era in Brooklyn.

The three-time All-Star was the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Brooklyn Nets' Ben Simmons reacts during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on November 22, 2022 in Philadelphia.

Brooklyn Nets’ Ben Simmons reacts during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on November 22, 2022 in Philadelphia. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

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The Nets are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a 39-34 record.