Talking to reporters forward of Wednesday’s recreation towards the Phoenix Suns on the Barclays Middle, Nets Head coach Jordi Fernandez offered some updates on the harm entrance.
Earlier than Ziaire Williamswho didn’t play in Tuesday’s loss to the Knicks, is coping with a sprained left ankle every day. He was additionally dominated out of Wednesday’s recreation. There is no such thing as a deadline for his return to court docket.
A comrade ahead Trendon Watfordwho has not performed since Dec. 16 on account of left hamstring pressure, additionally remained sidelined Wednesday. Whereas there’s additionally no timetable for his return, Fernandez stated he has progressed towards contact exercises.
Williams missed 12 straight video games from December 2 to January 1 with a sprained left knee, however performed in 10 straight video games between January 2 and January 19, the place he averaged 11.6 factors, 5 .3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals. Splits .424/.396/.852.
Watford missed your complete preseason and the primary 13 video games of the common season with a hamstring pressure. He made his 2024-25 debut towards the Knicks on November 17 at Madison Sq. Backyard. He averaged 8.3 factors, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 13 video games off the bench this season earlier than re-aggravating his harm towards the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 16.
Fernandez introduced Tuesday that Cam Thomaswho hasn’t performed since Jan. 2 on account of left hamstring pressure, is training his on-field actions with out contact and “every part appears wonderful.”
It seems Bojan Bogdanovic, who was acquired within the Mikal Bridges commerce to the Knicks final offseason, is in the identical boat. He has but to look in a recreation this season, nonetheless recovering from offseason foot surgical procedure.
“Precisely the identical as what he does – non-contact exercises on the sphere,” Fernandez stated of Bogdanovic. “He did an amazing job on the staff, utilizing his management and veteran voice. He does a great job.
STILL SHORT-MANDÉ
With Williams, Watford, Thomas, Cam Johnson (proper ankle sprain), Ben Simmons (sickness), D’Angelo Russell (left hamstring harm administration) and Maxwell Lewis (left tibia fracture) all sidelined n Wednesday, the Nets had been pressured to face Phoenix with solely 9 gamers accessible.
Brooklyn solely had eight gamers accessible towards the Detroit Pistons on January 8.
Johnson, whose availability has been very restricted in latest weeks, injured his ankle on Nov. 25 towards the Golden State Warriors. He was injured once more on January 2 towards the Milwaukee Bucks, and sadly, he was injured once more through the staff’s win towards the Portland Path Blazers on January 14. The ahead completed each video games, however appeared to twist his ankle once more throughout Tuesday’s loss to the Knicks.
“He simply caught him up a bit of bit…He’ll be out,” Fernandez stated of Johnson’s ankle harm. “We do not know for the way lengthy… He is in discomfort and we want to ensure we handle it in order that the subsequent time he comes he can keep it.”
The Suns performed with out Bradley Beal on Wednesday. Brooklyn used its twenty fourth beginning lineup of the season towards Phoenix, probably the most within the first 45 video games of a season in franchise historical past.
DURANT RETURNS TO BROOKLYN
Ex-Internet Kevin Durant returned to Barclays Middle on Wednesday for the primary time in 2024-25. Fernandez and the Nets had been shorthanded once they confronted the Suns in Phoenix on November 27, however managed to regulate the sport all through and managed to tug off an early season upset, 127-117.
“He’s a future Corridor of Famer and an amazing participant,” Fernandez stated of Durant. “It presents a number of challenges on your protection and your assault. It is all the time nice to play towards most of these gamers as a result of it challenges your staff. You are able to do issues that have to be totally different and provide you with totally different covers. The way in which he can rating at totally different ranges and the way in which he shoots the ball, and he would not see who’s in entrance of him. His management, his psychological toughness, all these issues, it’s spectacular on each degree.
Durant, again in his previous dwelling, additionally had form phrases to share in regards to the Nets group.
“I need to see this franchise succeed,” Durant stated. “What’s that 12 or 13 picks that they had?… Once you have a look at the massive image, you’ve got younger guys getting expertise, you’re constructing property and getting future selection. I hope you may draft effectively and construct the staff. I feel they’re shifting in the fitting route.
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