Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons is expected to be out indefinitely after re-aggravating a back injury just minutes into Saturday's defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Simmons' injury will likely sideline him beyond the club's upcoming four-game road trip, which begins Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers and ends March 7 versus the Golden State Warriors, Wojnarowski reports.
The former No. 1 overall pick underwent an MRI on Sunday, the results of which the 76ers expect within the next 24 hours.
Backup guard Shake Milton will start Monday against the Atlanta Hawks, though 76ers head coach Brett Brown told reporters the club will use a by-committee approach during Simmons' absence.
"It's not ideal," Brown said, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "But that's why you have a team. Now, coach it.
"This is the opportunity we have without an NBA All-Star, without a starting point guard, and we will manufacture ball carriers with the group that's been left back outside of Ben not being with us, and what that role looks like and who has that responsibility."
Simmons recently participated in his second straight All-Star Game. The 23-year-old is averaging 16.7 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 boards, and 2.1 steals across 54 appearances this season.
