Ben Simmons misses first Nets game due to injury this season

Ben Simmons and Dorian Finney-Smith both missed Wednesday’s 139-114 loss to Boston, with Simmons needing an MRI exam on his tight left calf. 

It marked the first game he had missed due to injury this season, with the other three all rest days during back-to-backs. 

“Dorian is just an ankle sprain and it’s not [bad]. I just want him to be 200 percent and ready to go,” Jordi Fernandez said. “That’s the reason why he’s not playing. I want him whenever he’s ready to give me everything. … And whenever he’s back, he’s going to give everything he has. No need to rush. 

“And then Ben is just a minor calf. [We] did an MRI [exam]. We don’t have the results. But it’s just a day-to-day thing for now. … We do not have the results, and we have him as a day-to-day.” 

Simmons had 12 assists Monday in New Orleans, but just two after halftime. He told reporters postgame that he’d cramped up in the second half, but would be fine to face the Celtics. 

When asked if the cramping brought on the calf tightness and MRI exam, Fernandez was noncommittal. 

“Good question, because he didn’t tell me,” Fernandez said with a shrug. “I know that there was some tightness and that’s why we did a precautionary MRI. And, like I said, we don’t have the results. I know that he probably mentioned it. [I’m told] he said it. I don’t know. He didn’t tell me, so that’s what I know.” 

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Ziaire Williams got his second start with Finney-Smith out. 

Bojan Bogdanovic (left foot injury recovery), Day’Ron Sharpe (left hamstring strain) and Trendon Watford (left hamstring strain) were all out. 

Jaylen Martin and Dariq Whitehead were activated from G League assignment. 

The Nets haven’t offered any update on Bogdanovic’s progress. A source said one isn’t expected until next month. 

“I saw him on the court shooting [Wednesday]. But playing 5-on-5 and in a real game, he’s progressing well. We’re not gonna give an exact date, but he’s doing good,” Fernandez said. “He’s in good spirits, he had a good week. He was with us on the road. Having him around is important because he’s a veteran. He’ll talk in huddles, he gives guys tips on what to do and his involvement is very important.” 

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Fernandez was awarded the Venus of Badalona, honored as the favorite son of his Spanish hometown. 

Badalona mayor Xavier García Albiol was on hand at Barclays Center. 

“It’s an honor because I have the mayor and his team here. They’ve been in my hometown and had my family, my friends, and they gave me an award that only five people have in my hometown … being one of five is an extreme honor,” Fernandez said. “It’s pretty cool. And everything I can do to represent and now that I’m honored this way, means a lot to me by my city.”