Things could be getting ready to go from bad to worse for the Sixers.
Sixers guard Ben Simmons will be having an MRI on Sunday for a back injury that caused him to leave the team's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night after just a few minutes, according to an ESPN report.
The MRI will come after there was, according to the report, "some level of concern surrounding the possible nature of the injury." The report goes on to state that Simmons was "emotional" after having an x-ray on the injured back in Milwaukee.
Simmons returned on Saturday night after missing the team's last game, a win over Brooklyn, due to the back injury. Although the Sixers were able to beat the Nets without Simmons, they were demolished by the Bucks, losing 119-98.
Simmons missing any significant amount of time would be a big blow to the Sixers, who are currently fighting to get out of the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Although their schedule is considered a relatively easy one the rest of the way, not having Simmons would put even more pressure on Joel Embiid to carry this team in Simmons' absence. The Sixers are currently 35-22, 1.5 games behind the Miami Heat for the fourth seed.
They next play at home against Atlanta on Monday night. It would be very surprising, regardless of the results of the MRI, if Simmons is available to play.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
