NEW YORK — The Brooklyn fillets (13-24) are coming off a disappointing homestand through which they did not have sufficient gamers to area the staff they’re used to placing on the sphere. Now comes the large problem as they should start a six-game highway journey west to Denver Nuggets (21-15) Friday, however there are two gamers anticipated to return.
THE Nets introduced Thursday that guard Ben Simmons and middle Day’Ron Sharpe are off the damage report forward of Friday’s recreation in opposition to top-of-the-line groups within the Western Convention this season, the Nuggets. Simmons has missed the final 4 video games for Brooklyn resulting from a mixture of left calf soreness and participation within the staff’s decrease again damage administration program, whereas Sharpe missed Wednesday’s. 113-98 loss to the Detroit Pistons resulting from sickness.
The return of Simmons and Sharpe will give the Nets a lift from current video games, as Brooklyn has been dangerously near not having sufficient lively gamers (eight) to keep away from forfeiting. Based mostly on head coach Jordi Fernandez’s feedback all through this week, it seemed like Sharpe wasn’t going to overlook a lot time along with his sickness whereas Simmons had on a regular basis he wanted to really feel higher .
Whereas Simmons and Sharpe are possible set to play Friday on the Nuggets, Brooklyn will nonetheless be lacking Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson and D’Angelo Russell, three gamers who’ve confirmed important to the staff’s success. Within the meantime, gamers like Noah Clowney, Tyrese Martin and Keon Johnson have stepped as much as play as many minutes as potential whereas attempting to present the staff the very best likelihood to win.
The Nets would possibly lastly get fortunate as perennial MVP candidate Nikola Jokic is questionable for the Nuggets resulting from sickness whereas ahead Aaron Gordon is questionable resulting from a proper calf pressure. It would not change the truth that Brooklyn remains to be lacking eight gamers who may have performed some minutes, however no less than they’re going to enable Simmons and Sharpe to get again on the courtroom.
The Nets say Cam Johnson (sprained proper ankle) and Trendon Watford (sprained left hamstring) are out for tomorrow’s recreation in opposition to the Nuggets.
Head coach Jordi Fernandez mentioned final night time that he believes Johnson will play sooner or later throughout this upcoming 6-game highway journey.
– Sharif Phillips-Keaton (@SharifKeaton) January 10, 2025
This text was initially printed on Nets Wire: Nets’ Ben Simmons, Day’Ron Sharpe off damage report Friday at Nuggets