Nets guard Cam Thomas, sidelined since Nov. 5 due to a left hamstring pressure, has proven therapeutic progress in a current follow-up MRI and has begun on-court work, the workforce mentioned. His standing will probably be up to date once more in roughly two weeks.
Thomas missed his fifteenth straight recreation when the New Orleans Pelicans visited Barclays Middle on Saturday. By eight appearances, he’s averaged 21.4 factors, 1.4 rebounds and a couple of.6 assists whereas capturing 40.2% from the sector, 35.6% from 3-point vary and 87.5% on the free throw line.
“We’re happy with how he’s progressing,” head coach Jordi Fernández mentioned. “And we have another timeline, which is two weeks. We’ll let you guys know. That’s pretty much it. There’s no reading in-between. We’re happy with the progress. There’s been improvement. And now in two weeks, we’ll see where he’s at.”
Thomas’ recurring hamstring troubles price him 57 video games final season, and the uncertainty lingered into the summer time as his restricted free company stretched effectively into the offseason. In the long run, he handed on a long-term deal and got here again on a one-year, $6 million qualifying provide.
The Nets have needed to rethink their offense with Thomas sidelined, and nobody has carried the load greater than Michael Porter Jr. His shot creation and motion capturing have steadied the half-court assault, permitting Brooklyn to play with extra stream by way of reducing, drive and kicks and frontcourt playmaking as an alternative of Thomas’ isolation-heavy weight loss program.
“Obviously his superpower is the ability he has to score,” Fernández mentioned. “On the similar time, we all the time need to see playmaking effectivity and enchancment on protection. So, all these issues had been essential on the time. Now his being out, the workforce continues to get higher and play and play in a approach.
With Porter anchoring the scoring, the ball has moved extra, and younger gamers like Noah Clowney, Egor Dëmin, Drake Powell, Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf have taken on bigger connective roles. The offense has appeared extra balanced, though it nonetheless dips when Porter sits or defenses key in on him.
Defensively, the change has been much more noticeable. With out Thomas, Brooklyn has leaned on greater, extra energetic lineups, tightening its shell and creating extra turnovers. Clowney, Wolf and Day’Ron Sharpe have all taken clear steps ahead, giving the Nets a extra disruptive identification.
Fernández mentioned all of that progress will form how the Nets reintegrate Thomas as soon as he’s wholesome and highlights how a lot the workforce has advanced throughout his absence.
“For the most part, I’m very happy with the whole group,” Fernández mentioned. “And now when [Cam] comes back, it’s going to be on me to figure it out how we introduce him into the group, and thinking that the most important thing, it’s always the group. And then from there you’re willing to do whatever it takes to help the group and obviously improve yourself. And that’s how this works. Team success will bring your own success as well. And, right now, two weeks away I usually don’t worry about having to think about those things until the situation is in front of me. So right now, as he’s doing a great job, we love him, love to have him back. But at the same time, we’ll be patient and get him ready to be able to help the team.”
