When Simmons hadn’t suffered season-ending back injuries in consecutive years yet. When Claxton, now seemingly the only player with a guaranteed future in Brooklyn, hadn’t yet surpassed Simmons in the team’s pecking

CLEVELAND — Nic Claxton and Ben Simmons haven’t started together so far this season. And it doesn’t sound like it’ll happen until Simmons makes it happen, until he plays so well that Nets coach Jordi Fernandez has no choice but to start him.

Nic Claxton impressed while receiving a surprise start during the Nets' shorthanded win over the Grizzlies on Monday.

Nic Claxton returned to the Nets’ starting lineup, seemingly for good, on Friday against the Boston Celtics. That meant Ben Simmons, who had started six games at center this season in place of a limited Claxton, came off the bench for the first time in 2024-25.

Claxton, who started his first game this season on Monday night with the Nets down to one healthy center, was anxious this week about regaining his role. “Hopefully soon” Claxton said before the Nets’ loss to the Pistons on Sunday. “We’re playing good basketball and that’s what matters.”

Nets center Nic Claxton is still on a path back to the team’s starting lineup after beginning the regular season with a hamstring injury.

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons came off the bench for the first time this season in Friday's loss at the Boston Celtics.

Simmons played his seventh game of the season. Last season, he played in six of the Nets’ first seven games before suffering a pinched nerve that kept him out for 2 1/2 months and eventually limited him to 15 games.

Simmons (back) did not play in Saturday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, however, against the Boston Celtics, the point forward came off the bench for the first time this s