Cam Thomas performed basketball on Friday for the primary time in practically two months. And after making his long-awaited return towards the Portland Path Blazers, the Nets inserted a strolling bucket again into their rotation on the excellent time.
Brooklyn entered the evening 1½ video games behind the Chicago Bulls for the tenth and remaining Play-In Match spot within the Jap Convention. Thomas is the precise sort of offensive power wanted for a late-season push.
Nevertheless, after lacking 24 straight video games due to left hamstring pressure, the Nets don’t have any selection however to ease Thomas again into motion. Nevertheless, that didn’t cease them from throwing him again into the beginning lineup towards Portland.
“Excited to have him. Excited to push him to whatever his body is ready for now,” head coach Jordi Fernandez mentioned. “To get to the real minutes, per se, it’s not going to happen right away because we have to be careful and cautious… We’re ready for him to perform in the minutes he can.”
Thomas, 23, has averaged 24.7 factors, 3.4 assists and three.2 rebounds throughout 19 video games this season whereas capturing 44.8% from the sector and 37.5% from 3-point vary. Opposing defenses need to respect a participant who places up these sorts of numbers. And the gravity Thomas instructions will create simpler scoring alternatives for his teammates.
The Nets had an offensive score of 115.7 with Thomas on the courtroom this season. That score dipped to 107.3 with him out.
“He’s a weapon and he’s capable of scoring in bunches,” Fernandez mentioned. “And even if they double team him, then with the proper spacing, you can get a good shot… We also need him to be a playmaker, to be a defender.”
HEALTHIER BY THE GAME
With Thomas again within the rotation, the Nets are only a few items away from returning to full well being.
De’Anthony Melton hasn’t appeared in any video games since he was traded to the Nets in December and stays out for the season due to a left ACL tear. However apart from him and the two-way guys, D’Angelo Russell (proper ankle sprain) and Noah Clowney (left ankle sprain) are the final common rotation gamers left on Brooklyn’s standing report — they usually’ll be again on the courtroom quickly.
Russell and Clowney are anticipated to return to apply and doubtlessly see recreation motion subsequent week.
“It’s great to have healthy bodies and they bring the energy back,” Fernandez mentioned. “But the reality is injuries are part of basketball. Obviously, you don’t want major injuries, but we have to have that next-man mentality. When we have everybody back it’s going to be even better because that creates healthy competition within the group.”
CLAXTON VS. SHARPE
Even after Day’Ron Sharpe‘s career night against the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier in the week, Fernandez made it clear that he has no plans starting him alongside Nic Claxton going forward. Claxton returned to the starting lineup on Friday after serving a one-game suspension in Wednesday’s loss. Sharpe returned to the bench.
“We expect them both to be the anchor of our defense,” Fernandez mentioned. “One day it’s going to be Day’Ron playing more, Nic playing less, vice versa. I think, again, it goes back into the competition within the group. They’re both tag-teaming.”
Claxton and Sharpe logged simply 10 minutes collectively this season getting into Friday’s recreation. Nevertheless, if Sharpe continues to showcase his skill to area the ground, that would change down the stretch.
“Can they play together? Yes, especially if Day’Ron is letting it fly like he did the other day with three 3s,” Fernandez mentioned. “But again, this is not something I’m going to predetermine. I’m expecting them to play as hard as they can and compete against each other.”
