Philadelphia 76ers: 5 storylines to watch upon Disney World return

4. Ben Simmons’ health

Ben Simmons went down with a seemingly serious back injury right before the season ended. Brett Brown recalled the gruesome nature of Simmons’ pain, and it appeared as though Simmons might not return in the regular season — maybe even the whole season.

The coronavirus pandemic quickly changed the narrative. Simmons has now had time to recover. He was given a three-week reevaluation timeline on March 11, which has long past. Philadelphia has not committed to a fully healthy status, but signs point toward Simmons suiting up when the season resumes.

The extended recovery time for Simmons was a blessing in disguise. With that said, there was some purposeful ambiguity around Simmons’ prognosis when he was declared healthy, and the Sixers haven’t given anything more concrete since. How comfortable he looks is definitely something to watch.

Back injuries are tricky. Simmons is a physical downhill player — the kind who initiates contact and pile-drives opponents en route to the basket. Not to mention his agility on defense, where he’s often asked to defend quicker guards and switch all over the floor. If Simmons’ back is still a bit wonky, it could have a significant effect on his performance.