Forward of Wednesday’s sport in opposition to the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Heart, Cam Thomas spoke to the media for the primary time since being recognized with a left hamstring pressure. The Nets introduced on Nov. 27 that the star guard would miss at the very least three weeks due to the damage.
Thomas suffered the damage in Brooklyn’s 128-120 defeat of the Golden State Warriors at Chase Heart on Nov. 25. Head coach Jordi Fernandez stated he took him out of the sport halfway by way of the third quarter of that sport to “protect him from himself.” The 23-year-old missed his fifth straight sport on Wednesday.
“Just did a routine, one of my step backs in the second half,” Thomas defined. “It didn’t feel right after I made the shot. From that point on, it just didn’t feel right. Tried to play through it a little bit, but I just knew I couldn’t really be the best version of myself.”
Earlier than his newest damage, Thomas ranked 14th within the NBA in scoring, averaging profession highs of 24.7 factors on 46.1% capturing from the sphere and 38.9% from 3-point vary. He has by no means handled a hamstring damage earlier than. Previous to getting damage, he stated he had been completely satisfied together with his position below Fernandez this season and was working with a heightened sense of consolation.
“It’s tough to always start out strong and then have an injury like this,” Thomas stated. “It’s similar to last year with my ankle, you know, had a great start and then you out for a little bit, then you got to get your rhythm back. But I mean, overall, I feel I had a good start this season so far but definitely want to pick it up and be better when I do come back and get back on the floor.”
Thomas didn’t make clear the place he’s at together with his restoration or what the following steps can be. Nevertheless, he did credit score teammates resembling Tyrese Martin and Dariq Whitehead for stepping up in his absence, and he’s happy with the best way Brooklyn has carried out total.
“It’s definitely been great so far,” Thomas stated. “Everything that has [been] thrown at us, I think we did a great job. Obviously, injuries, but we’re not going to use that as an excuse. Just because I’m out or anybody else is out for some games, we still want to go out there and get the win. Overall, I think when everybody’s playing, I think we are a really solid team. Just want to get everybody out on the court so we can keep winning games and keep trying to make the playoffs. So, I think that’s all it is.”
SLAM NIGHT
The Nets and Barclays Heart celebrated SLAM Journal on Wednesday night time, an iconic American basketball journal that focuses on hoops and hip-hop tradition. Numerous NBA and school superstars have graced its covers because it was launched in 1994.
Fernandez was sporting a black lengthy sleeve with an old-school Dražen Petrović cowl printed on it whereas talking to reporters on the podium pregame.
“I mean, you see here, our guy Drazen with the 41st symphony,” Fernandez stated. “You guys know they called him the Mozart of basketball in his home country, so I like to represent. I grew up watching him. He played for Cibona and Real Madrid, I had great memories, and then he ended up here, so life goes in circles.”
Cam Johnson, who was obtainable to play in opposition to the Pacers after coming into the night time listed as questionable due to a left ankle sprain, wore a shirt with a Michael Jordan cowl on it. Ziaire Williams (didn’t play due to a left knee sprain) and Dorian Finney-Smith (didn’t play due to a left ankle sprain) each wore shirts with completely different Allen Iverson covers, whereas Dariq Whitehead paid homage to Dwyane Wade.
Petrović was a standout participant for the Nets earlier than his tragic passing in 1993 at age 28. Fernandez spoke at size about what his profession meant to him. Petrović was a two-time EuroLeague champion and was named to the All-NBA Third Workforce in 1993.
“I think it was huge, because obviously at the time, no internet, no social media, so it was another time,” Fernandez stated. “I remember when he played for Madrid, probably was in the late 80s, and I remember for sure when he played for Cibona as well. And then he came here and fighting the adversity, I think. It was something we all believed and knew how good he was, then he comes to the NBA, and sometimes it takes you time to break through. But at home, we’re all like, ‘he’s one of the best ever!’”
SCHEDULE UPDATE
The Nets have been unable to advance to the knockout rounds of the Emirates NBA Cup for the second straight season after ending 1-3 in group play. The NBA stuffed in schedule gaps on Wednesday for them and the opposite 21 groups who have been eradicated from the match.
Brooklyn now has a street sport in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, Dec. 13 at 8 pm and can host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 pm. It’s 2-0 in opposition to Memphis and 0-1 in opposition to Cleveland this season.
