CLEVELAND — Nic Claxton and Ben Simmons haven’t started together so far this season. And it doesn’t sound like it’ll happen until Simmons makes it happen, until he plays so well that Nets coach Jordi Fernandez has no choice but to start him.

Jordi Fernández moved Ben Simmons out of the Brooklyn Nets’ first five in the team’s close overtime loss to the Boston Celtics.

Nic Claxton impressed while receiving a surprise start during the Nets' shorthanded win over the Grizzlies on Monday.

Nic Claxton returned to the Nets’ starting lineup, seemingly for good, on Friday against the Boston Celtics. That meant Ben Simmons, who had started six games at center this season in place of a limited Claxton, came off the bench for the first time in 2024-25.

Nic Claxton has been relegated to coming off the bench as he builds up his conditioning. And while coach Jordi Fernandez won’t say when he’ll start the center again, it clearly won’t be until Claxton’s minutes restriction is eased.

Nic Claxton could return to the Nets starting lineup next week as he continues to progress back from a preseason hamstring injury.

Nets center Nic Claxton is still on a path back to the team’s starting lineup after beginning the regular season with a hamstring injury.

Claxton, who started his first game this season on Monday night with the Nets down to one healthy center, was anxious this week about regaining his role. “Hopefully soon” Claxton said before the Nets’ loss to the Pistons on Sunday. “We’re playing good basketball and that’s what matters.”

Ben Simmons found himself in an unusual place to start Friday’s Brooklyn Nets-Boston Celtics matchup: the bench. After the three-time All-Star started his first six games of the season, head coach Jordi Fernandez removed him from the lineup in favor of Nic Claxton,