Nets guard Cam Thomas was faraway from Thursday’s harm report and is ready to make his long-awaited return in Friday’s matchup towards the Portland Path Blazers at Barclays Middle.
Brooklyn’s prime scorer had missed 24 straight video games due to a left hamstring pressure. He hasn’t appeared in a sport since Jan. 2 and has performed simply twice since Nov. 25 due to nagging hamstring points.
Though Thomas’ availability has been severely restricted this season, he’s been an offensive pressure when wholesome. He’s averaged 24.7 factors, 3.4 assists and three.2 rebounds throughout 19 video games this season whereas taking pictures 46.1% from the sector and 38.9% from 3-point vary.
“We know he does offensively so, there’s no question,” Trendon Watford mentioned. “We all know exactly what Cam Thomas is going to do when he gets back out there. I think all our offensive struggles will come to an end as soon as he steps foot out there.”
The 23-year-old progressed to 5-on-5 drills final week and appeared “good,” in line with head coach Fernandez. Brooklyn was 13-26 with out him this season getting into Friday’s sport.
The Nets additionally had an offensive score of 115.7 with Thomas this season, which dropped to 107.3 with out him. Regardless of boasting the NBA’s finest protection in February, Brooklyn has continued to wrestle on offense. Thomas’ return ought to enhance its effectivity at that finish of the courtroom.
“Personnel-wise and considering Cam’s out, I feel like some of the offensive struggles will be expected,” Watford mentioned. “Having the best defense in the league and then having one of the worst offenses in the league, I guess it’s a give and take… Getting CT back, getting Noah [Clowney] back. Noah’s one of the best shooters on the team. It’s going to have a lot of improvement on that side of the ball.”
Clowney (left ankle sprain) and D’Angelo Russell (proper ankle sprain) will stay out towards Portland. Kendall Brown, Tosan Evbuomwan and Dariq Whitehead are on G League project and gained’t be accessible to play on Friday, both.
The Nets entered Friday 1½ video games behind the Chicago Bulls for the tenth and last Play-In Match spot within the Japanese Convention. If they’ll keep a High 10 protection with Thomas enjoying, they’ll have an opportunity to make noise down the stretch.
“I mean, it’s good to try to manifest and speak things like that into existence; but I like us just coming in one day at a time, one game at a time,” Russell mentioned. “I know how hard we work. So, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel for our group.”
