76ers general manager Elton Brand said on Tuesday the Australian All-Star has undergone rehab for his back injury, is doing "really well" and working out at the team's facility.

Simmons has not played since leaving the 76ers' February 22 game against the Milwaukee Bucks with a nerve impingement in his back.

"I'm very optimistic he will be ready to play if and when we are given the green light to resume," Brand told reporters.

The coronavirus pandemic halted the NBA season on March 11 and it remains unclear when or if it will resume.

Brand said he was hopeful the season would start back up and the 76ers were prepared for any scenario, but added there would need to be a "ramp-up" period for players to build their fitness before games were played.

Simmons, after his extended hiatus, would need to participate in three-on-three and five-on-five drills to prove he was ready to play a game, Brand said.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has left open the possibility of completing the regular season and playoffs later this year, despite the NBA Finals traditionally ending in late June.

There is also the possibility the NBA could head straight into the playoffs with the top eight teams from the Western and Eastern Conferences.

That would set up the sixth-placed 76ers against third-placed Boston Celtics in the first round of the Eastern Conference.

Brand said 76ers' coach Brett Brown and his staff have been prepping during the hiatus for a potential Celtics match-up.

The team will also continue to encourage Simmons to shoot from distance, something the Australian has been reluctant to do.

"He wants to make the right play and at times feels it might not be the right play," Brand said.

Australian Associated Press