Simmons has back surgery, will reportedly be sidelined 3-4 months

Guard Ben Simmons underwent a microdiscectomy on Thursday in order to alleviate the back pain that's sidelined him since he joined the Brooklyn Nets in February.

The procedure is expected to sideline Simmons for three-to-four months, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Nets expect him to make a full recovery in time for training camp.

After missing the entire second half of the season with the Nets following his deadline trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, Simmons looked likely to make his long-awaited team debut in Game 4 of Brooklyn's first-round series against the Boston Celtics. However, he reportedly woke up that day with soreness in his back again, prompting the team to shut him down. The Nets were then swept.

Brooklyn coaches and players were reportedly caught off guard by Simmons sitting out for what was ultimately their final game of the season, as some hoped the three-time All-Star would push his body in the must-win contest.