Nets' Ben Simmons returning from extended absence for crucial draft positioning matchup

Ben Simmons will return to the Brooklyn Nets' lineup during Wednesday's road matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. Simmons has missed the team's last five games due to an illness and lower back soreness.

Following his healthiest start to a season in years, Simmons has struggled to stay on the floor lately. The three-time All-Star has missed nine of Brooklyn's last 14 games.

“We're going to do what's best for him and his body,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said on Monday. “He went out there [before Saturday's Miami Heat loss] and tried to move around and was not feeling good. We've done our job, trying to make sure everything was looking good. He's got discomfort. He'll be out, and then he'll be…