Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons will undergo surgery on his left knee to repair an injury he suffered on Wednesday, the team announced on Saturday.
The 76ers did not announce a timetable for Simmons' return but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported they have not given up hope that the former number one overall pick could return in the case of a deep playoff run.
The most likely outcome, however, is that Simmons' 2019-20 season is finished.
Simmons left Philadelphia's game against the Washington Wizards midway through the third quarter after suffering the injury while trying to grab a loose ball.
He was diagnosed with a subluxation of the left patella – a partial dislocation of the kneecap. Further testing discovered a loose body in the knee, prompting Simmons, the team and their medical staff to choose surgery as the best treatment option.
Even under the most optimistic return scenario for the two-time All-Star, the news is a major blow to the title chances of a talented but inconsistent 76ers team.
Simmons is averaging 16.4 points, 8.0 assists and 7.8 rebounds this season, and his 35.4 minutes per game leads the team.
He recently had his role on the team changed, starting at power forward instead of point guard, where coach Brett Brown added Shake Milton to the starting five.
It is likely that Philadelphia will add Al Horford to the starting lineup.
The 76ers are 35-22 this season with Simmons in the lineup and 7-5 when he sits out, although their offense has been slightly more efficient with Simmons on the bench.
Philadelphia are 3-1 in the NBA's restart in Orlando but their toughest opponents still lie ahead. They have clinched a playoff spot and cannot fall lower than the number six seed in the Eastern Conference.
