Ben Simmons' knee injury is worse than originally thought. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Simmons to undergo knee surgery; no timetable to return

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 8/8/20

If you're a fan of the Philadelphia 76ers, you might want to look away.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Ben Simmons will undergo left knee surgery to remove a loose body. Simmons will leave the NBA's Orlando bubble, and Wojnarowski adds that it would take a deep playoff run for the 24-year-old to return to the lineup.

Simmons will leave the NBA's Bubble for the procedure, and a timetable on a return is forthcoming. https://t.co/Vn7PsL3hZr
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 8, 2020

While the Sixers haven't ruled Simmons out for the season, sources say it would take a deep run into the playoffs to keep the door open on the possibility of a return --- and that's still an iffy proposition. For now, the Sixers need to prepare for a postseason without Simmons.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 8, 2020

Philadelphia now has to prepare for a postseason without one of its best players.

The Sixers currently are sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 42-27 record, and they might not have the opportunity to improve in the standings with Simmons out of the lineup. Since resuming play in Orlando, the team is 3-1.

In 57 games this season, Simmons was averaging 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game. He didn't play in Philadelphia's win over the Orlando Magic on Friday.

Al Horford, Mike Scott and Tobias Harris are all options to fill Simmons' role in the starting lineup.

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