Ben Simmons’ injury-filled Nets season is over

Ben Simmons’ 2022-23 season has officially ended.

The 26-year-old won’t play again for the Nets this season, head coach Jacque Vaughn said Tuesday.

Simmons will start a rehab program for his ailing back.

Doctors haven’t recommended surgery and a procedure is “not in sight,” according to Vaughn.

“Our doctors and the specialists feel and think that he’ll have a full recovery,” Vaughn said, “so that starts now.”

Vaughn’s comments essentially confirmed what appeared the most likely scenario after Simmons was diagnosed with a nerve impingement in his back Friday — in addition to the list of knee and back problems that have derailed his season and sidelined him since the All-Star break.

Simmons appeared in just 42 games and averaged 6.9 points and 26.3 minutes per game, with all three numbers serving as career-lows.

When Simmons started his strengthening program in late February, shortly after the Nets returned from their All-Star break, Vaughn said the goal was to get him back on the court.

During what Vaughn labeled a “reassessment” phase, though, the nerve impingement was revealed.

That led to Simmons visiting with specialists — which then snowballed into the latest development Tuesday.

Despite the latest setback, Vaughn said the Nets’ aim is still “to be involved” with Simmons, who was once a rising star with the 76ers.

“I want to coach Ben and I want to be able to push Ben to get back to all-defensive team and impact our team on both ends of the floor,” Vaughn said. “So that’s definitely the goal going forward.”