Nets guard Cam Thomas missed his twenty fourth straight recreation on Wednesday due to a left hamstring pressure, however his prolonged inactive streak might lastly be nearing its finish — though his precise timeline stays murky.
Chatting with reporters forward of Brooklyn’s matchup towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder at Barclays Middle, head coach Jordi Fernandez stated Thomas is taken into account day-to-day and may return within the close to future.
“I cannot say the exact day, but he’s done a great job,” Fernandez stated. “Obviously getting readjusted to a real game, it doesn’t happen right away, but we’re excited to have him back at some point soon.”
Thomas, who hasn’t appeared in a recreation for the Nets since Jan. 2, has averaged 24.7 factors, 3.6 rebounds and three.4 assists throughout 19 video games this season whereas taking pictures 44.8% from the sector and 37.5% from deep. He was additionally sidelined by hamstring points from Nov. 27 – Dec. 27.
The 23-year-old participated in 5-on-5 drills final week and seemed “good”, in keeping with Fernandez. Brooklyn had a 13-25 document with out Thomas this season getting into Wednesday’s recreation.
CLAXTON SUSPENDED
Nic Claxton was suspended with out pay for Wednesday’s matchup towards Oklahoma Metropolis after amassing his sixth Flagrant Foul level in Monday’s highway loss to the Washington Wizards. His absence left the Nets with one wholesome middle, Day’Ron Sharpe, towards probably the greatest groups within the league.
“Yeah, next player mentality,” Fernandez stated. “Obviously we’re going to miss him and we’re going to miss his size as the anchor of our defense. Obviously Day’Ron has been a reason why we’ve been so good. Both guys combined together, they’ve been great for our defense, coverages, presence.”
Serving as Claxton’s main backup off the bench, Sharpe had averaged 9.2 factors, 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks over his previous 10 video games getting into Wednesday whereas taking pictures 60% from the sector — and he’s performed that whereas averaging simply 16.4 minutes an evening. He bought his first begin of the season and the thirteenth of his profession towards the Thunder.
“And yes, I want to see him increase those minutes,” Fernandez stated of Sharpe. “That means he’s pushing Nic and Nic is pushing him. And right now, [since] Nic is out, those minutes are going to be up there for him.”
If Claxton picks up his seventh Flagrant Foul level, he’ll be suspended one other recreation. After that, he’ll serve a two-game suspension for every flagrant.
“We’ve had those conversations, private conversations,” Fernandez stated of Claxton. “He held himself accountable and to a really high standard.”
OTHER INJURY UPDATES
Fernadez stated D’Angelo Russell (proper ankle sprain) and Noah Clowney (left ankle sprain) are anticipated to return to follow and doubtlessly see recreation motion subsequent week.
Russell has missed three straight video games and Clowney has missed 11 straight video games.
“They’re around the group and they’ve [brought] great energy when we have them around,” Fernandez stated. “We need their presence. And it’s good, because it seems like if everything goes well next week we’ll try to see where they’re at and just try to keep working on that and have them get some contact and have them back on the court.”
