Simmons sets no timetable for 76ers return

Oct 27, 2016 - 12:16 AM Ben Simmons hasn't set a timetable for his return from a broken bone in his right foot after his Philadelphia coach Brett Brown last week said he hoped the Australian would make his NBA debut in January.

The No.1 draft pick, who was injured last month during a training camp, attended the 76ers' regular-season opener on Wednesday and is treading carefully in his rehabilitation.

Simmons, who was set to watch the game against Oklahoma City from the locker room, said: "I'll come back when I'm ready."

"I'm just ready to get back.

"I'm looking forward to just rehabbing every day and getting stronger. I want to be the best at what I'm doing now and that's rehab. As long as I can do that, I'll think I can be fine."

Earlier, 76ers CEO Scott O'Neil assured Philadelphia fans that Simmons was due back this season.

"Injuries happen, as we saw with Simmons, who fortunately will be back this season, which is terrific news," O'Neil told CSN Philly on Wednesday morning.

Last week, Brown was forced to clarify his prediction that Simmons was due back in January.

"I did mention a January hopeful return, and that was premature," said Brown.

"That was a coach doing a lot more wishing than receiving instruction."

Simmons was expected to become the franchise player for a forlorn Sixers team coming off a 10-72 season, but his broken foot was the latest blow to a team that's been beset in recent years by injuries.

Joel Embiid was set to make his regular-season debut two years after he was the No. 3 overall pick of the 2014 draft.

Embiid sat out with right foot injuries and was expected to be limited to just 20 minutes against the Thunder.

Nerlens Noel underwent recent surgery on his left knee and will miss at least another month. Jahlil Okafor, last season's leading scorer and second-leading rebounder, is coming off knee surgery and would be limited to 12 to 14 minutes a game.

Source: AAP