This was published 7 years ago
Ben Simmons' foot healed as NBA debut for Philadelphia 76ers awaits
Ben Simmons' broken foot has healed as the Australian continues to increase his workload for a possible NBA debut this season with Philadelphia.
The No.1 draft pick underwent scans in New York this week which showed his rehabilitation was on schedule, the 76ers said on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT).
Ben Simmons, left, is not going to be rushed into the 76ers side.Credit: Getty Images
Simmons started light one-on-one drills against a 76ers' D-League player.
"I'm just really happy with the path and plan we have in place for him," coach Brett Brown said.
"It's nice and slow.
"It's not dramatic. It's not anything that people should read into – here he is. It's not that. It's slowly building him up, very cautiously to a point where we can welcome him back, legitimately to the team," Brown said.
Simmons fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in September during the team's pre-season training camp.
The 76ers have not put a timetable on his debut despite him returning in recent weeks to team training.
The injury has sidelined the 20-year-old for the first four months of the season.
Philadelphia have struggled in 2016-17 but, in a recent resurgence, they have won seven of their past nine games.
AAP