The Nets have been operating on fumes in latest video games because the 2024-25 common season winds down, and Thursday’s matchup in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Heart will probably be no totally different.
Cam Thomas (left hamstring pressure) and Noah Clowney (proper ankle sprain) have been each dominated out for the season some time in the past, however Brooklyn should compete with out Cam Johnson (decrease again contusion), D’Angelo Russell (proper ankle sprain) and Day’Ron Sharpe (proper knee sprain) once more.
Neither Russell, Sharpe nor Cam Johnson performed in Tuesday’s 119-114 defeat of the New Orleans Pelicans at house, a recreation during which Trendon Watford led all scorers with 22 factors on 7-for-8 capturing and all 5 Nets reserves completed in double figures.
Thursday will mark Russell’s third straight absence, Sharpe’s seventh straight absence, and Cam Johnson’s fifth straight absence. Brooklyn is 16-34 with out Russell this season and 5-17 with out Cam Johnson.
Nonetheless, Keon Johnson is anticipated to return to the lineup after lacking Tuesday’s recreation for relaxation.
After all, Brooklyn’s continued absences will create extra alternatives for younger expertise down the stretch, reminiscent of Drew Timme, Dariq Whitehead, Tosan Evbuomwan, Maxwell Lewis, Tyson Etienne and Reece Beekman.
Timme has averaged 12.3 factors and 6 rebounds throughout his first six NBA video games whereas capturing 52.4% from the sector. Whitehead logged his fourth straight recreation with a number of 3-pointers in Tuesday’s win.
Evbuomwan has reached double figures as a scorer in every of his final three appearances, and so has Lewis, who continues to impress together with his exercise and flexibility. Etienne scored a career-high 11 factors in Tuesday’s win, and Beekman recorded a career-high 10 assists on the identical evening, changing into the third rookie this season with not less than 10 assists and one or fewer turnovers in a recreation.
And head coach Jordi Fernandez continues to instill confidence in them, even with the playoffs out of attain.
“I think the opportunities are extremely important, you still have a job to do,” Fernandez mentioned. “You have to have the right intentions and making mistakes, it’s not what matters the most [nor] is it a bad thing as long as you have the right intentions. What we want to accomplish as a group, if you take the right shot and the shot doesn’t go in, so be it.”
